'No spying took place': Government, MSS hit back at prison surveillance claims
Chamber of Advocates alleges a ministerial warrant authorised the use of listening devices in prison visitors' rooms
The government and the head of the secret services on Thursday strongly denied claims that they listened to private meetings between lawyers and their clients at the Corradino prison.
The counterclaim follows allegations of secret recording of confidential conversations between lawyers and their clients inside prison. These claims led the Chamber of Advocates and Avukati Għawdex to instruct their members to refrain from attending any court hearings or making legal filings on June 22.
On Thursday morning, state officials filed a legal response to the chamber's complaint on behalf of several high-ranking officials, including the prime minister, the home affairs minister, the justice minister and the head of the secret services.
The government rejected the chamber's accusations while the head of secret services insisted there has never been any system in place to spy on or record private consultations between lawyers and clients.
State officials acknowledged that privacy was a basic right protected by Malta's constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights. While acknowledging these facts, the officials said they must firmly reject the chamber's claims.
Among others, the chamber has argued that a former prison director provided sworn testimony to support their allegations. However, the government responded that these claims were false and had no factual basis.
The government argued that a respected organisation like the chamber should not attack state institutions or create doubt in the justice system based on false guesses.
The legal document was signed by lawyers from the Office of the State Advocate.