One of the obvious problems in our society, which became evident following the verdict in the case of Lorin Scicluna but which we already knew existed, is that racist attitudes run deep in Maltese society. However, there is another aspect that is equally evident.
There is a total lack of respect for prosecutors in court, and many different parties are to blame for this.
Firstly, we have witnessed constant attacks on inquiring magistrates and prosecutors for years by Joseph Muscat’s goons, including MEPs Alex Agius Saliba and Daniel Attard. These two individuals bear significant responsibility for fostering distrust in prosecutors, particularly through their attacks on them in defence of Joseph Muscat.
Secondly, this disrespect towards prosecutors has been consistently displayed by judges presiding over these trials, including Judge Edwina Grima, who showed clear bias in favour of the defence, and Judge Natasha Galea Sciberras, who presided over Lorin Scicluna’s jury trial. I am told by those who followed the case in court that she was also highly disrespectful towards the prosecutors.
Adding to this disrespect is the Attorney General herself, who continually makes a mockery of her office through her mistakes, her alleged cover-ups for corrupt politicians, and her actions that have weakened her own office.
Let’s make this very clear. When presenting a case in court, a prosecutor begins on an equal footing with the defence lawyers. Both sides operate within a system designed to safeguard their rights and ensure that proceedings are fair. However, prosecutors do not serve the same function as defence lawyers, and they should not be spoken to or treated in the same manner by the judiciary.
Prosecutors represent the State. Anyone in court, including members of the judiciary, who attacks a prosecutor is attacking the State itself.
We have a problem because the State has been captured by Labour, and this principle will be difficult to uphold under an Attorney General who is perceived as corrupt and does not enjoy the trust of half the political spectrum.
On a more practical level, prosecutors should start standing up for themselves by drawing clear red lines in court and responding firmly when they are disrespected by members of the judiciary.
Website Editor
Historian and Publisher
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