One story we never read about in John Dalli Today – tiftakruha tas-sapun?
Any time any one of you needs some green soap, just let me know. My brother is a soap merchant who sails the high seas to Libya on a ship called The Jolly Roger. And any time you take a bribe to reduce the sentence of a drug trafficker and need a character witness in court to say how religious you are, I have another brother who provides that kind of service. Photo pillaged from MediaLink without permission.
timesofmalta.com, this afternoon
Bastjan Dalli says he was offered freedom if he implicated brother in hospital allegations
Bastjan Dalli, the brother of European Commissioner John Dalli, said in court today that a man who he could not identify, had told him while he was in prison under preventative arrest that he would be let out if he would admit that his brother was involved in the report by Joe Zahra, which claimed irregularities in the Mater Dei Hospital procurement process.
Mr Dalli, who is now out on bail, was giving evidence before Magistrate Miriam Hayman after filing an application for court authorisation to be allowed to go abroad.
He explained that he had been arrested twice by the police in connection with charges that he was involved in the importation of drugs – which later turned out to be bars of soap.
During his second period of arrest, a man had spoken to him from the hatch of his cell. He told him that if he admitted that his brother John was involved in the case of the report by Mr Zahra on procurement irregularities at Mater Dei Hospital, he would be allowed out.
He replied that he did not want to do anything of that sort. As soon as he was let out on bail, he spoke to his brother about what had happened. John Dalli told him he would speak to the Police Commissioner about it, but he was not sure whether he had actually done so.
Bastjan Dalli said he had not spoken about this matter before because he could not trust anyone.
On cross examination by Inspector Norbert Ciappara, Bastjan Dalli said he did not recognise who the person involved was. He did not know whether or not he was wearing a uniform and could only say that he had a male, low voice.
Asked by the court whether he suspected anyone, he said he did not.
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Nothing surprises me any more.
The two words ‘Bastjan Dalli’ disappeared from Kulhadd / l-Orizzont / Torca as well.
[Daphne – Mhux ovvja. They can’t use John Dalli against the government if they’re going to highlight the fact that his brother is facing trial for drug smuggling.]
Nice photo! But one could also add that it was taken on the occasion of the Prime Minister opening his arms wide to receive Dalli back in an all-is-forgiven scenario, so that, a few weeks before the election, the electorate is led to believe that Dalli and Gonzi are having a new begininng.
My wife has just come to ask whether the acrid stench in the kitchen is coming from my VDU.
She is probably right.
Gondalli is making quite a name as EU Health Komissar, and not just for proposing an EU-wide ban on public smoking. The last official remark I heard was ‘one hopes Mr Dalli will attend this time’.
As good old Dellboy would say, “Oh, leave it out, Bastjan”.
[Daphne – My feelings exactly: the mysterious face with the soft and spooky voice at the cell-door. My, it must have been the Scarlet Pimpernel. And then discussing it with his brother, the EU Commissioner – kemm hawn nies wicchom ta’ broxk.]
The English media used the words “low voice”. I wonder whether Bastjan Dalli used the words “lehnu baxx” or “lehen ta’ baxx” in court. Then again, maybe he would be unable to distinguish the difference had it been the latter case.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20101015/local/recording-police-interrogations-not-a-priority
Angelik had yet another visioin …
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20101015/local/praying-against-divorce
How come no mention of ‘Black Monday 15th October’ in The Times?
Are you surprised? A day before they published a news story on the ‘historic prejudice’ against the 1971 – 1987 Labour government. The MLP are aiming to re-write history.
John Dalli does a JPO – http//www.maltastar.com/pages/r1/ms10dart.asp?a=12423