Labour MP calls for investigation into police abuse claims
Labour shadow minister for home affairs, Michael Falzon, has called for a serious investigation into allegations of excessive force by the police, in an incident reported by MaltaToday last Sunday.
“We believe the absolute majority of the corp’s members hold their job close to heart and that they make sacrifices. We cannot allow cases and allegations like these tarnish their corp’s reputation and the good name of its honest members. That’s why we need a serious investigation into these facts,” Falzon said.
At least seven police officers were dispatched from the St Julian’s police station to arrest Rose Parnis, 44, for failing to appear for a court sitting. Parnis and her lawyer William Cuschieri have insisted she never received the summons, because the police delivered their note to an erroneous address.
Parnis was supposed to have been arraigned for breach of public order, when the police failed to process a report she wanted to lodge against her estranged husband, who is under psychiatric observation at Mt Carmel Hospital, by court order.
Labour MP Michael Falzon yesterday said that it was essential that the police enjoyed everybody’s respect and trust. “Society must be able to live in tranquillity and with its mind at rest. The corp’s members must be a friend and a shield to its citizens… that’s why the necessary action must be taken to establish what really took place.”
The incident caught on CCTV shows the excessive and disproportionate use of force by police officers when last Wednesday, Sgt Robert Said Mamo, PC Sarah Kathleen Zerafa and another constable arrived at Parnis’s shop in San Gwann at 4pm. They were later joined by inspectors Bernard Spiteri and Brian Mifsud, and constables Emmanuel Agius and Joseph Mifsud. Another police officer waited outside the establishment.
When faced with the police, who demanded Parnis come down to the police station, her daughter informed them that she had just undergone hospitalisation for a heart condition. In the meantime, lawyer Dr William Cuschieri also called Superintendent Sharon Tanti to assure her that no summons was ever received, but that Parnis would appear next day in court.
Tanti declined the offer, alleging that Parnis’s younger son was insulting the police officers back at the shop.
At this point, Parnis moved to the back of the shop, where she was followed by the police. Her son Clive pleaded with them not to take his mother away.
This was when the police assaulted the boy, grabbed him in a headlock and dragged him away. Clive’s injuries from the incident were certified by Dr Joseph Saliba from the Mosta clinic, who confirmed the bruises to his wrists, lower back and neck. This was also the result of being pushed down a flight of steps.
At the shop, Rose was surrounded and manhandled by police officers. She fainted, and her daughter called for an ambulance. After laying on the floor for some time, she regained her senses, and then she was promptly handcuffed and taken away.
The ambulance arrived at the Police HQ, but was turned away. Later, the ambulance came back to take Parnis to Mater Dei. There, six policemen were assigned to guard Parnis while she was in hospital. She was released on Friday.
After interrogation, Parnis was yesterday arraigned in court with urgency – accused of attacking six police officers. Magistrate Silvio Meli granted Parnis bail upon the request of defence lawyers William Cuschieri and Joe Mifsud, on a personal guarantee of €3,000 and on condition that she does not commit another crime, regardless of the opposition of prosecuting officer Bernard Spiteri – the same inspector involved in the attack.
Contacted by MaltaToday, Justice and Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici said superintendent Mario Spiteri, from the internal investigations unit, was looking into the case of alleged manhandling and family relatives had already been interrogated. “I am always concerned about such allegations… nobody is above the law. All allegations will be taken seriously,” Mifsud Bonnici said.
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