Police beating of migrants sparks online debate

The allegations that two migrants were beaten up by policemen in Paceville raised various concerns and created a far-reaching debate on the internet, where the issue is being discussed on various online forums, especially on timesofmalta.com.

On Monday, The Times broke the story of two migrants who were allegedly beaten by the police while in handcuffs in two separate incidents that took place in the early hours of Saturday.

The migrants were taken to court on Sunday morning and both pleaded guilty to assaulting police officers and damaging police property, landing suspended sentences of eight and 10 months.

Both incidents were seen by many witnesses, several of whom came forward and put their names on record saying the police used excessive force while the men were defenceless. The witnesses reported the incidents to the police who started an internal investigation.

The story and its follow-ups received a lot of attention on timesofmalta.com, quickly moving up the most read, most e-mailed and most commented lists.

The comments showed different interpretations of the story with some criticising the police for unacceptable behaviour and others sticking up for the officers saying the police force should have more respect and support.

Other issues were also raised in a discussion that revolved around racial hatred, illegal immigration, police violence, security in Paceville and the political implications of such incidents.

"Some people do need to be beaten to obey. I am sure our police have no other way to deal with some guys," Joseph Scicluna commented.

In agreement, Louise Vella said: "It is the duty of law-abiding Maltese citizens to support the police against illegal foreigners who break the peace without contributing anything to Maltese society, either financially or culturally". But Daphne Caruana Galizia, whose son was one of the witnesses, said: "It is absolutely disgusting and unbelievable that there are some people who think it is acceptable and justifiable for the police to beat up a man, whoever he might be and whatever he might have done, while he is handcuffed to a railing, lying on the floor in a huddle, bleeding and screaming".

"How do you report a race-hate crime to police officers who are racist themselves?" she asked.

Ms Caruana Galizia referred to the attitude of the police on that night, which she said she heard about from her son and other witnesses who were on record. She quoted the police as saying: "Do you know why we are keeping this man handcuffed to a bench and lying on the floor? Because who knows what might happen if he sneezes on us? He might give us a disease".

Ms Caruana Galizia said she was told that a female police officer who took Rebecca Filletti, another witness, to the police station called her a "bitch" for interfering.

"I would have arrested Ms Filletti for interfering with police duties and put her in jail with all those interfering busybodies," one H. Farrugia said, adding: "Our men in blue deserve our respect. They are protecting us from villains and illegal immigrants".

Oscar Cassar complained that the version of events as given by the police has not yet been reported saying that, because the incidents happened in Paceville, it must have been very crowded making it difficult for the police to perform their duties.

Others commented on the trend of unsolved cases of alleged police brutality this year.

"Where is the inquiry into last year's shooting by the police in Qormi and the Nicholas Azzopardi case? And don't we remember the policeman hitting an old lady," asked Albert Farrugia.

Mark Scerri echoed his views and also mentioned the shooting of Bastjan Borg in Qormi in March last year, Mr Azzopardi and the case of the French woman who was attacked by a policeman last June, an incident that was caught on video.

"I think this goes beyond racist issues," he said. "What about the educational background and training of our officers?"

A migrant, who referred to himself as M Abdalla, also joined the discussion and warned the Maltese public that "we (migrants) will eventually leave but these problems will remain here".

Several people expressed surprise that there are no CCTV cameras in the high-crime zone of Paceville and that none of the hundreds of witnesses came forward with photos or videos considering that these were such controversial incidents that happened in full view of large crowds of Paceville-goers.

Malcolm Seychell, general secretary of Azzjoni Nazzjonali, was the first to post a comment and had a different interpretation to most.

"The minister has some serious decisions to make. The migrant beat up the police officer and that should be more than enough to start deporting such criminals," he said.

Ben Grech said that anyone "stupid enough" to lift a finger on police officers in Paceville should expect such treatment. "A friend of mine was once slammed against a police van for merely questioning an officer's aggressive attitude toward another," he said while adding that a complaint was filed but "nothing came of it".

Journalist Kurt Sansone also commented:

"It is unfortunate and shameful that some members of the police corps feel that people like Mr Abubaker need to be treated differently simply because of their skin colour or nationality." He went on to thank the "handful of Maltese youth who stood up to be counted in the face of this shameful act of racism."

Columnist Kenneth Zammit Tabona reacted to what he said were disgusting racist comments and brought Maltese values into the discussion, asking "Is this Catholic Malta?" Another comment likened these cases to something that would happen in Zimbabwe. "Why keep belting a person while handcuffed," A. Daley asked. The comment was concluded thus: "Shame, because this is not Christianity! If you treat a man like an animal, he will act like one".

Mark Tanti said that until the case is investigated those responsible should be suspended from their duties. He added that the police corps should always be respected even in such circumstances where it looks like a small number of officers did not behave correctly.

Corinne Vella said that no matter how difficult the job of the police is, nothing gives them the right to beat up anyone. "If beating up people is wrong, it is far, far worse when the beating is carried out by someone in uniform," she said.

M. Grima went further saying that "the ingrained racism in our society will stay while our police force continues to be the perpetrator of race crime rather than a deterrent against it".

Some likened this situation to the rampant police violence of past decades, saying that nothing has changed since then.

But according to Louise Vella those who have taken an attitude of "moral superiority" have forgotten the real problem that illegal immigration is still on the increase. "Do the do-gooders have a solution," she asked.

The discussion continues, and so does the police investigation.

Police speak to witnesses

None of the police officers involved in the alleged beating of migrants in the early hours of Saturday morning in Paceville has been suspended but an investigation is under way, the police said yesterday.

"Only if disciplinary or criminal action is envisaged will suspension be considered," the police added.

The investigation is being conducted by the Internal Affairs Unit of the police corps.

The Justice and Home Affairs Ministry said the investigation has no time-frame although the ministry would expect it to be concluded in the shortest time possible.

Several witnesses who had spoken to The Times were interviewed by the police yesterday.

The witnesses alleged that two handcuffed migrants were beaten in separate incidents by policemen on duty in Paceville.