Statements given to the police by three men accused of conspiracy in drug trafficking may not be read out to jurors because they were given when the accused were not assisted by a lawyer, an appeals court has ruled. 

The appeal was filed by the attorney general.

Three alleged drug-trafficking conspirators - Rio Micallef, 26, from Marsa, David Tabone, 25, from Naxxar and Darren James Vella, 19, from Birkirkara - are awaiting trial over their alleged involvement in a drug-trafficking conspiracy in 2008. 

The attorney general had requested authorisation to read out the statements made by the co-accused when spoken to by the police as suspects even prior to their interrogation.

That request was turned down by the Criminal Court, the decision being confirmed by the Criminal Court of Appeal, which reaffirmed that allowing the reading out of such statements by the suspects when not assisted by their trusted lawyer, would amount to a breach of their right to a fair hearing.

Lawyer Franco Debono is counsel to Mr Micallef.

Lawyer Arthur Azzopardi is counsel to Mr Tabone.

Lawyer Michael Sciriha is counsel to Mr Vella.