Magistrate Tonio Micallef Trigona today blasted two police officers for their “disgusting” behaviour after they arrested and strip-searched two Swedish women who were celebrating Chile's victory against Spain on 18 June in St Julian’s. One of the women is of Chilean descent. 

Mina Teharni and Andrea Maturana were holding a cloth flag, which the court noted was “bereft of a stick,” from both ends when it brushed a police sergeant major’s face.

They were arraigned under arrest for having “vilified, threatened and caused bodily harm against public officers, as well as having assaulted or resisted those same public officers.”

The Sergeant Major testified that the flag “brushed his face forcing him to bend his head backwards.” He grabbed the flag from the accused, who then allegedly touched the peak of his cap and said, “why you act so stupid, a**hole.”

Another officer wrested Tehrani to the ground and handcuffed her.

The Magistrate told the prosecution that the two officers involved in the incident are not fit two wear their uniforms, and should be made to sweep the streets.

The Magistrate said that there were some “material inconsistencies in the testimony of the police officers.”

Both of the women were acquitted and handed back their passports.

Magistrate Trigona said that action should be taken against the two officers involved. 

A DOI statement said later that the minister has ordered an internal police investigation to establish the facts and if need be take the appropriate punitive decisions.