MHRA Calls for Tougher Fines After Anti-Social Tourist Incident
The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) has praised the swift response by the Malta Police Force and the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) following recent anti-social behaviour by a group of foreign visitors. Police quickly identified those responsible and issued on-the-spot fines, while the MTA ordered the closure of a licensed short-let apartment block after uncovering breaches of licence conditions. The association said the decisive action sends a strong message that Malta will not tolerate disruptive behaviour or violations of tourism regulations. MHRA also welcomed the close cooperation between Interior Minister Glenn Bedingfield and Tourism Minister Dr Jo Etienne Abela, describing it as an example of effective collaboration to protect residents, visitors and the country’s reputation. However, the association argued that current on-the-spot fines remain too low and urged authorities to substantially increase penalties to create a stronger deterrent against misconduct. (Maltatoday)
Court Hears Daphne Caruana Galizia Replied to Messages from Future Killer
Confessed hitman Vince Muscat told a court that murdered journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia once replied to text messages sent by one of her future killers during an alleged 2015 murder plot. Testifying in the trial of businessman Yorgen Fenech, Muscat confirmed that fellow hitman George Degiorgio had been sending the journalist messages to monitor her movements. According to earlier testimony read in court, Caruana Galizia responded on one occasion, saying she did not rely on phone calls and suggesting they meet instead. Muscat said the men later tried to locate her workplace after receiving the reply. Prosecutors allege this was the second conspiracy to kill the journalist, who was assassinated in a car bomb attack in 2017. The earlier plot allegedly involved former minister Chris Cardona and lawyer David Gatt, both of whom have consistently denied any involvement in the allegations. (The Times of Malta)
Man Jailed Three Years for Attempted Murder of Wife in Hammer Attack
A jury has found 68-year-old Emanuel Borg guilty of attempting to murder his wife during a hammer attack at their Mellieħa home, with the court sentencing him to three years in prison. Jurors accepted that the offence was committed under the excusable circumstances of sudden passion and mental agitation, as well as voluntary desistance, factors taken into account when determining the sentence. Borg was acquitted of a separate charge of causing grievous bodily harm. The case stemmed from a 2019 incident in which prosecutors alleged he repeatedly struck his wife with a hammer while she slept following an argument over money. Borg denied deliberately attacking her, claiming the injuries occurred during a struggle over the weapon before he called an ambulance. The court also ordered him to pay more than €9,000 in expert fees, while declining to rule on compensation after the victim later died from unrelated causes. (The Malta Independent)
