Chris Cardona, David Gatt to testify in trial of men accused of suplying bomb that killed Caruana Galizia
Former minister Chris Cardona and lawyer David Gatt will testify in the jury trial of the four men accused of supplying the bomb that killed journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, a court ruled. Madam Justice Edwina Grima granted special permission for their names to be included as defence witnesses, ensuring the accused could present crucial evidence. The ruling comes as the court continues hearing pre-trial submissions in the case against Jamie Vella, George Degiorgo, and Maksar brothers Adrian and Robert Agius, who face charges related to Caruana Galizia’s assassination and the murder of lawyer Carmel Chircop. Vella’s lawyer had previously requested Cardona and Gatt testify, claiming the prosecution withheld evidence from hitman Vince Muscat’s testimony. (Times of Malta)
MCESD discusses land reform
During a meeting of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD), social partners, MCESD Chairperson David Xuereb, Parliamentary Secretary Andy Ellul, and Lands Minister Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi discussed the 18 recommendations in the National Strategy for the Reform of the Land Registration System (2025-2035). Key aims include covering the entire territory of Malta with the land registration system within ten years, updating the current law, improving property title certificates, and defining property boundaries more clearly. Additionally, the reform proposes the creation of a mediation and arbitration framework to resolve disputes efficiently. Minister Zrinzo Azzopardi emphasized the need to modernize the land registration system to better serve clients and professionals. (The Malta Independent)
Women jailed one year for running brothel
A woman convicted of running a brothel in Balzan has been sentenced to a one-year prison term, suspended for three years. Lin Han was initially sentenced to five years in prison in 2022, but a technical issue led to the case being restarted. Han operated Honey Girl Beauty Spa, where clients were offered sexual services for money. During a raid in February 2013, authorities found three Chinese women, over 100 contraceptives, and sex toys on the premises. Though convicted of human trafficking and prostitution-related offences, Magistrate Rachel Montebello ruled that the prosecution failed to prove Han’s involvement in trafficking the women at the brothel.(Maltatoday)
