The chairman of a local tribunal smoked during a sitting, witnesses were not allowed to testify and some 40 policemen present at the tribunal intervened on a case which did not regard them.

These, and similar shenanigans, were reported to the House yesterday by Nationalist MP Mario Galea, who asked the Justice Minister whether such goings-on were allowed. What can an ordinary citizen do when faced with such events?, Mr Galea asked.

Dr Tonio Borg replied that one must examine case by case, for instance whether the witnesses were being produced as a time wasting tactic.

Dr Borg also added that as from 1 January – due to various complaints about wardens – three boards were set up where citizens who feel that the tribunals were unfair with them could petition for a pardon. Apart from that, the citizens can always appeal to the Joint Committees.

Arson cases

The number of arson cases has increased, from 93 in 2001 to 124 last year, Justice Minister Tonio Borg told Nationalist MP Jason Azzopardi.

Indecent exposure

The number of persons arrested for indecent exposure on the beaches from 2001 to last year amounted to just 10, Justice Minister Tonio Borg told Nationalist MP Franco Galea.

Three arrested after drug find

Three people were yesterday arrested, after a Police Drug Squad raid in a Zabbar residence led to the discovery of several sachets of heroin.

A police statement yesterday said that the three – two men and a woman – were arrested in a house in Zabbar early in the afternoon.

The police had been watching the movements of the three persons for some days and had even arrested a number of persons who had obtained drugs from this residence.

The police yesterday searched the residence and arrested a woman and a man, after finding sachets of heroin ready for sale. A third man, who arrived at the residence, was also arrested.

The woman who was arrested is 23 years old, while the men are aged 27 and 22.

The statement added that an unspecified number of other persons were also arrested in connection with the case.

Duty magistrate Silvio Meli appointed a number of court experts to assist him in drawing up an inquiry.