Porn but no criminal activity found on laptop seized from murderer Adrian Agius
More than 100 videos found on the device after 'shortcomings' in prison procedures
A laptop found in the cell of convicted murderer Adrian Agius was used to access the internet and download "a substantial number" of pornographic videos but was not used for criminal activity, a report has found.
The device was discovered last month with broken security seals in the cell belonging to Agius, who is serving a life sentence for the murder of lawyer Carmel Chircop.
An internal inquiry, commissioned by Home Affairs Minister Glenn Bedingfield found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing. However, it identified "shortcomings" that allowed the prisoner to gain internet access in breach of prison regulations.
Times of Malta understands that more than 100 pornographic videos were found on the device.
According to the ministry, Agius had been authorised to keep the laptop in his cell from May 2024. Under prison procedures, the device's USB ports should have been sealed and its Wi-Fi capability disabled.
The inquiry found that, at some stage, the security seals had been improperly removed, allowing the laptop to connect to the internet.
The inquiry, led by retired judge Antonio Mizzi, found no evidence that the laptop had been used to facilitate criminal activity, despite earlier allegations that it may have been used to communicate with associates outside prison.
Agius is a member of the Ta' Maksar gang. His brother Robert and another associate Jamie Vella, are serving life for providing the bomb that killed journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.
Because the report deals with sensitive prison security procedures, the government said it will not be published in full.
Instead, it said the inquiry exposed weaknesses in operational procedures governing electronic devices inside prison and recommended tighter controls.
Among its recommendations are mandatory risk assessments before prisoners are permitted to use laptops, regular inspections of electronic devices to ensure security restrictions remain in place, and the introduction of a clear protocol for dealing with similar cases.
A copy of the report has been passed to Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà in the context of an ongoing police investigation.
In a statement, Bedingfield said the allegations of criminal activity had "all proven to be unfounded" and criticised those who had "jumped to conclusions for partisan purposes".