The solidarity march for police officers that took place last May in Valletta had no relation to any specific case or investigation, the Police Officers Union and the Malta Police Association said in a statement on Thursday.

Reacting to arguments made by the lawyers of Liam Debono, the 17 year old accused of running over policeman Simon Schembri, that the solidarity march for police officers was organised in the context of the incident involving Debono, and that it was therefore intrinsically linked with the case.  

Debono's lawyers took umbrage at the fact that President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca was present at the march, saying that her presence meant that she had already publicly taken sides in the case, which could lead to the protestant's rights having been breached.

The judicial protest submitted by Debono's lawyers said that the President had taken sides in the incident in a way which can irrevocably prejudice the accused's right to a fair trial, before the facts related to Liam Debono's upbringing had emerged.

This view was however rebuffed by both police unions, who clarified that the solidarity march was organised to show solidarity with the police force in general and that there was no connection with any specific case.

Furthermore the statement made reference to the announcement that initially called the solidarity march, which was published on 17 May.  That announcement read that the march was called 'In support and solidarity towards the members of the Police Corps, for what they suffer and pass through daily so they can fulfil their duties'.

The Liam Debono case has been adjourned to October.