Disbarred lawyer Patrick Spiteri, who is facing charges related to money laundering and fraud, once again appeared in court pleading to be released on bail, claiming that the prison division he is living in is not ideal.

Spiteri is being charged with fraud, misappropriation of funds and falsification of documents and is currently being held in preventive custody at the Corradino Correctional Facility. The accused appeared before Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit, who is now taking over the case after Antonio Micallef Trigona who recently retired.

Representing Spiteri, lawyer Stefano Filletti said that his client is currently residing in division 15 at the Corradino Correctional Facility, “a make shift division” he added. He said that the accused is sleeping in a dormitory, not a private cell when he was supposed to be locked all alone, in an almost isolated state.

“The building is partially underground and was harshly criticized by the Convention for the Prevention of Torture when they visited the premises in 2015. In fact, they had reported that it had to be shut down permanently,” Filletti argued.

The lawyer also mentioned how Spiteri suffers from a particular medical condition with a highly problematic immune system. Only recently, a prisoner in his division was found to have a highly contagious skin disease, probably scabies. “It was so severe that the inmate had to be taken to hospital.”

Filletti reminded the court that a doctor had ruled that the symptoms of the accused’s illness cause constant physical pain and that this is why the defence had originally requested bail.

“The reality is that now Patrick Spiteri is suffering from unnecessary pain because he is being held in prison. He is refusing to stay at the division 15 and this is causing him psychological isolation.”

The lawyer also mentioned how disciplinary action is going to be taken against him.

“It is inconceivable how a balance cannot be found between the accused’s health and his right to defend himself in a complex criminal case, all of this when the accused is presumed innocent.”

Spiteri has already tried seeking bail by arguing that locked behind bars, he is unable to prepare a proper defence for his case. He had also mentioned his physical condition and complained of the poor conditions in prison.

The prosecution is led by inspector Yvonne Farrugia.

The case continues on 28 September.