New law to make State liable for civil cases involving public officials Justice Minister Jonathan Attard has presented a bill making the State liable for public officials in civil cases, provided they acted in good faith. Unveiled alongside Prime Minister Robert Abela and Principal Permanent Secretary Tony Sultana, the bill aims to improve decision-making in the public sector while addressing legal uncertainty. It includes safeguards, with protection withdrawn in cases of gross negligence or criminal intent, as determined by the courts. The State would act as a guarantor, without being a party to the case, and retains the right to recover damages from officials following final court judgments. The second reading is planned for next week, with the government aiming to pass the law before the summer recess.(The Malta Independent)
Life Network delivers over 11,000 submissions opposing assisted dying In a symbolic gesture marking the end of the government’s public consultation on assisted dying, the Life Network Foundation delivered 11,571 printed submissions to the Office of the Prime Minister. The documents, already submitted online, were delivered in orange boxes as part of the “Oqtol l-Uġigħ, Mhux Lili” campaign to ensure that “no voices are forgotten.” Speaking during the handover at Castille, foundation chair Tonio Fenech welcomed the wide support received and noted that over 40 organisations have publicly opposed the legalisation of assisted voluntary euthanasia (AVE) in Malta. (Newsbook)
Ttwo arrested after armed robbery at San Ġwann pharmacy Police have arrested two men in connection with an armed robbery at a pharmacy in San Ġwann on Wednesday. Two masked men entered the pharmacy in Triq Tal-Balal, threatened the cashier with a knife, and fled with cash. One of the suspects dropped the weapon and some coins while escaping. CCTV footage showed the pair leaving in a red Toyota Ractis. Later, police stopped the car in Ħamrun and arrested the driver, a 42-year-old from Birżebbuġa. The same vehicle had been used in a robbery in Sliema earlier that day. A second suspect, a 37-year-old Libyan man from Sliema, was also arrested. No injuries were reported. (Times of Malta)
