CABS media officer Axel Hirschfeld was not assaulted in the presence of the police but shortly before the officers arrived at Mizieb, BirdLife said this evening.
It said in a statement that the reference made to Mr Hirschfeld being punched in the presence of the police officers in their statement yesterday was an error.
“The incident occurred in the presence of, and was caught on camera by, a television crew from a German TV station,” they said.
Earlier today, Police Commissioner John Rizzo said it was 'presumptuous' of BirdLife president Joseph Mangion to allege that the flouting of Malta's bird protection and hunting laws was taking place without retribution.
In reply, BirdLife said they were thankful to the police force for providing police offices on extra duty during this year’s Raptor Camp, but said this measure was for the safety of camp volunteers and not related to illegal hunting.
BirdLife said the provision of police officers to accompany volunteers was made possible following a request filed in July and again in August, due to “the escalation in attacks against birdwatchers last spring”. The officers, BirdLife said, were being paid for by the respective NGOs.
BirdLife said that Commissioner Rizzo’s statement clearly showed that despite the evidence presented to the police following the discovery of over 200 dead birds at Mizieb last year, the police had not yet conducted an investigation and a thorough search of the area for further evidence. As a result, Malta’s biggest wildlife crime incident, remained unresolved.
It said that another 80 dead birds were yesterday found at Mizieb by BirdLife and CABS teams.
The ALE were called after the first finds, following which they arrived and collected the dead. The ALE then left the area, despite being asked to stay.
BirdLife’s conservation manager called the ALE again when more birds were discovered, but he was told that they were unavailable until noon. Although district police were informed, they only arrived on the scene at about 12.30 p.m.
It said that contrary to Commissioner Rizzo’s reference to an increase in ALE resources, there were around 20 ALE officers working with less than a handful of vehicles.
BirdLife appreciated and commended the effort put into enforcing the law by the ALE officers.
“The fact that the unit remains under-resourced and under-staffed despite widespread illegal hunting is clearly a failure on the government’s side to deal with this international conservation problem,” it said.
See also:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100921/local/police-commissioner-denies-birdlife-presidents-claims