Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar repeatedly said that the police force is unable to divulge any details on the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia due to laws surrounding magisterial inquiries.
The Malta Independent questioned the commissioner on how, considering that Caruana Galizia vociferously criticised his position and questioned his credibility, he could soothe peoples’ concerns on his integrity, Cutajar said:
“I am sorry to hear that, I don’t know if people are questioning my integrity”.
Last Monday Caruana Galizia was brutally murdered when her rental car was blown up while she was driving. A crime conference was finally called after mounting media pressure as well as pressure from the public.
No less than five car bombs have been used over the past two years, with no criminal arraignments having taken place. Police investigations are still ongoing. Many have called for the resignation of Cutajar in the wake of such circumstances. Fielding questions on his resignation, Cutajar repeatedly said that his main focus is to “contribute all his know-how and expertise” to help solving the case.
He also reminded members of the press that he has been working in the police force for over 40 years, under various administrations, and has never had any problems with politicians or colleagues.
The commissioner, when asked about the type of explosives used, whether it was of the type Semtex, whether a remote detonator was used or where the car bomb was placed, repeatedly said the law precludes them from divulging as such and that revealing such information may jeopardise investigations.
FBI help
It was revealed that FBI agents were already in Malta when the murder of Caruana Galizia took place, on a human trafficking mission. Cutajar said however it was different FBI agents who are helping the “technical” aspects of the case.
Dutch experts are assisting from a forensic point of view.
Present at the crime conference was an FBI representative based in Rome, by the name of Mr Keeran.
CCTV cameras
Assistance Commissioner Silvio Valletta confirmed that all available CCTV cameras have been checked. Local police and forensics are still collecting evidence .
Cutjar said “Collecting of evidence may take weeks. The car used in this incident was towed to the police compound and is being kept for further examinations. The press conference was called now to be able to give a better overview of investigations without divulging certain information that may hinder the course of investigations.”
It was confirmed an autopsy will be carried out tomorrow.
When asked about the possibility of the magisterial inquiry not being made public, Cutajar said that it is not up to the police but the laws regulating magisterial inquiries.
Delia: Commissioner has done nothing to reassure us
Remarking in Parliament on the police press conference, Opposition Leader Adrian Delia said that the Commissioner has “done nothing to reassure us”.
Delia pointed out how the Commissioner had not said whether the country’s borders had been immediately secured following the murder.
The police commissioner, Delia said, could have put our minds at rest either by telling us he was going to resign or to answer the questions that were being asked. The crime conference, Delia said, had not only failed to answer questions but it also raised serious questions and doubts.
He added, “If what we saw and heard during that crime conference is the best that this country can do then we are truly incapable of ensuring that justice is carried out. The Nationalist Party does not want our country’s name to be dragged into the mud. We want justice and to strengthen the institutions once again.”
Press Briefing Police from The Malta Independent on Vimeo.