Two members of the Criminal Investigation Department were to blame for a police blunder which led to the arraignment of an innocent man, an internal inquiry has established.

The inquiry, published more than 18 months after it was concluded, reaches a different conclusion to a report drawn up by the Police Board – which had shifted the blame for the error on to district inspector Elton Taliana when he had actually charged the correct person – and recommends disciplinary measures
against the two individuals.

The blunder took place in August 2013 when Daryl Luke Borg, 27 from Birkirkara, was accused of theft and sent to prison after bail was denied. The incident led to a political backlash, with the Opposition calling the Police Board conclusions “a travesty of justice”.
 
According to the internal inquiry, the crucial mistake was made by two CID inspectors – Joseph Mercieca and Carlos Cordina – who arraigned Mr Borg despite the fact there was insufficient evidence to accuse him over a hold-up at a shop in Birkirkara. The report also concedes that the police blunder was a result of lack of consultations between the CID and the district police.

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