Migrants, soldiers clash again

The AFM yesterday reported further violent incidents between soldiers and illegal immigrants on Thursday night, just hours after 27 detainees of the Safi Barracks and two armed forces personnel were injured in a brutal end to a peaceful protest that morning.

As some in the country expressed shock at the beatings received by the migrants and others argued they got "what they deserved", the AFM said an officer was injured when soldiers were forced to contain and control several detainees at the barracks on Thursday night.

The AFM said three soldiers were hit by stones, one of whom had to be immediately admitted to hospital with head injuries.

The government has ordered an inquiry into Thursday's incidents, headed by Mr Justice Franco Depasquale, a retired judge and the chairman of the Police Appeals Board.

Asked for the terms of reference, Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg yesterday said the inquiry was expected to establish whether force was used according to principles acceptable in a democratic society.

He said that the government wanted the inquiry to be concluded as soon as possible in the interests of both the victims and the accused.

The AFM said that a number of detainees started throwing "sizeable" stones at duty guards, at 8.15 p.m. on Thursday.

Sources said the incidents were triggered off after some had watched the 8 p.m. news bulletins on television, which reported the scuffles between some of the detainees and the AFM earlier in the day on the Kirkop playing field.

Two AFM vehicles and the Safi Barracks Guard Room were considerably damaged in the attack.

The detainees also deliberately damaged the lighting system surrounding the compound and attempted to bring down the gate and part of the perimeter fence. Some of them also tried to escape but their attempt was foiled after AFM reinforcements were called in.

Thursday morning's incidents stirred contrasting emotions in people who called The Times yesterday, either to condone or condemn the AFM's actions. Some expressed horror at the alleged heavy-handedness shown by the soldiers, especially following the graphic photos published in The Times, but many felt the incidents were no surprise.

One woman, who said she was the wife of a soldier posted inside Safi Barracks, claimed that those who guarded illegal immigrants were working in appalling conditions and faced daily threats.

"It's not the first time that illegal immigrants have created hooks from bed springs and carved out knives from broken glass. I'm scared for my husband's safety," she said.

"One of the immigrants even told the soldiers recently that something serious would happen one day inside the barracks."

A man from St Julians said the fact that the AFM had the tenacity to beat up illegal immigrants in the open and in front of the press made one wonder what went on inside.

"Even if the detainees did something out of the ordinary, nothing will ever condone brute force. What happened in Safi was reminiscent of the 1980s," he charged.

During a discussion on Turkey's EU accession at university, several students said they agreed with the army's actions.

"They were sticking up for our rights and for our country," one student said.

Vox-pops carried out by radio stations yesterday showed that many individuals believe the AFM was right in using shields and truncheons against the unarmed immigrants.

"Why do they come to our country? Serves them right, maybe that will teach them a lesson," was one reaction of a female respondent.