Court hears police testimony on trespass in Mnajdra temples

A video recording of a Bondì+ episode showed a journalist walking into Mnajdra Temples through a hole in the surrounding fence but did not show him making the opening in the fence, an inspector told a court yesterday.

Police Inspector Carmelo Bartolo said that he was instructed to investigate the trespassing into the temples after a person was filmed trespassing and the clip was shown during the Bondì+ episode aired on April 10.

"Although the clip does not show anyone cutting the fence it shows Jeremy Camilleri passing through the hole in the fence," he said.

Inspector Bartolo testified before Magistrate Antonio Mizzi in the compilation of evidence against Camilleri, 27, of Sta Lucija, who is pleading not guilty to trespassing into Mnajdra Temples on and before April 9 and causing over Lm500 damage.

The inspector yesterday said he went to the Museums' Department and spoke to the director, Anthony Pace who told him that Lm600 worth of damage had been caused to the fence surrounding the temples and that during an inspection of the fence on April 3 it was still intact.

The inspector said he then went to the Public Broadcasting Services where he spoke to Joe Dimech and asked him for a copy of the Bondì+ episode aired on April 10.

The inspector said that after viewing the credits, he drew up a list of three cameramen but the three of them denied any involvement in the filming of the footage.

They explained that it was not the first time that someone's name was listed in the credits when he or she had not contributed to the making of the programme.

After seeing Camilleri in the footage, the inspector called for him in his office and questioned him but Camilleri chose not to answer. He added that while they were talking Camilleri said that he was at home on April 10.

When he was asked where he was on April 9 Camilleri said that he preferred not to answer the question.

But, the inspector said, while he was releasing a statement Camilleri said that he did not remember where he was on April 9.

Inspector Bartolo also explained that when he went to the temples to see the damage he noticed that the hole in the fence was in line with the watchman's room but situated on the other side of the fence.

So he asked for a list of the watchmen who were on duty at the temples between April 3 and April 10 and questioned them.

One of the watchmen said that on the night between April 4 and 5 he had noticed a small light across the fence. He described the light as that emitted by some form or equipment and said it was not a torch light.

The watchman said that he went to check what the light was but did not see anyone or anything when he crossed the temples, the inspector said.

Under cross-examination, the inspector was asked if he had urged Camilleri to admit his guilt during questioning.

The inspector objected to the line of questioning and said that there was no need for him to answer such a question.

But Magistrate Mizzi told him that he had to answer unless he felt he could incriminate himself.

Inspector Bartolo denied telling Camilleri that although he had a right to remain silent, there were people more important than he who answered the questions anyway.

He denied telling Camilleri that he would use his right not to answer against him in court and that had the watchman shot him at Mnajdra, he would not have blamed him.

The inspector denied saying that Camilleri was wasting his time and that he (the inspector) was not even being paid overtime but explained that he might have mentioned overtime casually but definitely not in that context.

He denied saying that Lou Bondì was training Camilleri to be a criminal and not a journalist, that Camilleri was Lou Bondì's puppet, that Lou Bondì had hidden agendas and that Lou Bondì was Camilleri's pagan idol.

He categorically denied accusing Camilleri of being a criminal and causing the damage to the fence. He also denied, among other things, telling him that "the cross was heavy to bear alone and that later it would be too late to ask for help".

The case continues.

Police Inspector Bartolo is prosecuting.

Dr Emmanuel Mallia, Dr Giannella Caruana Curran and Dr Anthony Cremona are appearing for Camilleri.