The family of a man who died after he was allegedly beaten up at police headquarters presented a judicial protest holding his daughter-in-law, her mother, the former home affairs minister, a number of policemen, a court expert, a social worker and a doctor responsible for damages.

Reno Azzopardi (and family) said that Nicholas Azzopardi was arrested on 8 April, 2008 after claims that he had molested his daughter Kimberly.

He was held at the police depot until the following day, during which time he suffered injuries. As a consequence, he died in hospital on 22 April, 2008.

Mr Azzopardi said his son’s arrest was based on untrue claims by his wife Claudette and her mother Antonia Patiniott with gross negligence of a social worker assigned by Agenzija Appogg and police officers.

Nicholas Azzopardi’s death was not accidental or self-inflicted, the father argued, but the consequence of an action or shortcomings by members of the police force while under arrest.

There were also serious faults in the medical care given to Nicholas Azzopardi at Mater Dei Hospital, the father argued.

The protest was also made by other members of the Azzopardi family.

It was filed against Claudette Azzopardi nee Patiniott, Antonia Patiniott, former Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici, court expert Martin Bajada, Police Superintendent Alexandra Mamo, Inspector Graziella Muscat, Inspector Paul Caruana, Sergeant Adrian Lia, Sergeant Reuben Zammit,  social worker Melissa Xuereb, and doctor Charles Grixti.