AG concludes arguments in constitutional case filed by two judges

Attorney General Anthony Borg Barthet yesterday concluded his arguments in the constitutional case filed by two former judges facing criminal proceedings for bribery.

The matter was referred by the Magistrates' Court after it was raised by lawyers for former chief justice Noel Arrigo, 52, of Siggiewi, and Judge Patrick Vella, 58, of San Pawl tat-Targa, who are pleading not guilty to two counts of bribery and one of revealing official secrets in relation to a sentence handed down by the Court of Criminal Appeal against Mario Camilleri on July 5.

The two judges are claiming that the prime minister made statements asserting their guilt before they were tried by a court and had, at best, clouded their constitutional right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty .

Magistrate Tonio Micallef Trigona ruled that the judges' complaint in relation to a press conference given by the prime minister on August 1 could not be termed frivolous and vexatious and merited examination by the Civil Court in its constitutional jurisdiction.

He however dismissed a second complaint against the media, remarking only that the right to freedom of expression was sanctioned as a fundamental human right in the constitution.

The case now continues on Wednesday when lawyers for the judges are expected to reply to the Attorney General's submissions.

Dr Joseph Giglio and Dr George Abela are representing Judge Arrigo while Dr Toni Abela, Dr Michael Sciriha and Dr George Cutajar are representing Judge Vella.

Attorney General Anthony Borg Barthet is also representing the police commissioner.