The trial of former Chief Justice Noel Arrigo, who stands accused of bribery, opened this morning, with Dr Arrigo confirming his not guilty plea.

In his opening address, prosecutor Anthony Barbara said this was a very important case as criminality had tried to hit the judicial system.

The accused had been the highest official of the judicial system and the gravity of the case lay in having the system break the law.

Dr Barbara observed that Dr Arrigo stood charged with bribery and revealing official secrets. Naturally the circumstances of this particular case brought with it public judgment as this man had represented the whole system.

Whoever a person was, he said, the law was the samebfor everyone. The accused was presumed innocent until proven guilty and the only thing society wanted was for justice to be done.

The prosecution said that Dr Arrigo should be found guilty since the evidence clearly showed telephone calls and certain manoeuvres with a person who had been found guilty of drug trafficking, which was very serious. The accused, he said, had received money for what he had done.

Dr Barbara said he was surprised at how easy it was for persons to approach people with such senior positions and reach their goals. This was what one had to reflect upon.

See also:

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091111/local/trial-of-former-chief-justice-police-commissioner-testifies

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091111/local/recording-of-former-chief-justices-statement-to-the-police-being-heard-in-court