Imperium Europa leader Norman Lowell yesterday appealed against the two-year jail sentence suspended for four years and a e500 fine imposed on him on 27 March.

Mr Lowell was found guilty of inciting racial hatred during a speech he gave in Rabat on 3 April 2006, and through an article entitled Coming Cataclysmic Crises posted on the internet. He was also found guilty of insulting the President of the Republic of Malta on 8 May 2006.

Flanked by his legal counsel Emmy Bezzina, Mr Lowell spoke to the press on the Courts’ steps after filing his 64-page appeal which he described as “breathtaking, monumental and historic”.

Dr Bezzina listed 23 reasons why the appeal should be upheld, and stated that Mr Lowell would be a “prisoner in his own country” in such a case.

Mr Lowell criticised PM Lawrence Gonzi for failing to pay tribute to him after he had done so with the other European Parliament election candidates.

Mr Lowell criticised the government for not allowing him his five-minute spot on TVM prior to the general election, a ban which was issued by the Broadcasting Authority.

“Notwithstanding being called a Nazi and a Fascist, Emmy and I are the only people in Malta fighting for real freedom,” he stated.

Mr Lowell said that Malta would be thrown back to the Middle Ages were the judgment not to be overturned.

He confirmed his intention of contesting the 2009 EP elections and reiterated his promise of saving the “betrayed Malta” and putting it at the zenith of Europe, making it the compass point of Imperium Europa which will be formed in 2012.”

He added that “Malta will be that sacred island in which one billion Europids would be obliged to visit its temples in pilgrimage.”