Police acting ‘abusively’ in trying to block report

Businessman Silvio Zammit’s defence team yesterday strongly objected to police reluctance to publish the EU anti-fraud agency’s report that brought down ex-European health commissioner John Dalli. Lawyers Edward Gatt and Kriss Busietta were reacting to an application filed by the Police Commissioner and Attorney General last week who, following a magisterial order to have the report published, requested that the decision be revoked. Dr Gatt and Dr Busietta said the request was “almost arrogant” and lacked respect towards the administration of justice when there was a clear order by Magistrate Anthony Vella to have the report presented in court. The lawyers said the fact Police Inspector Angelo Gafà, prosecuting, could not attend the last sitting when the report was meant to have been exhibited, did not change anything and the order still stood. Mr Zammit has been charged with bribery and trading in influence in connection with the Dalli case. The two lawyers described the investigation as having been pursued with much “pomp and zeal” by “assistant (police) commissioners and (police) superintendents”. They noted the prosecution’s allegation that, because of the ongoing...