After being fined Lm25 and having an arrest warrant issued against him, Imperium Europa leader Norman Lowell filed a “very urgent” judicial application yesterday asking the court to investigate the case.

Mr Lowell claimed he did not appear in court as he was notified to appear on 18 December at 11.30am, while the hearing took place at 9am.

He claimed that the time on the notification was written in red over a previously written 9am.

However, said Mr Lowell, the hearing started at 9am and the prosecuting officials, who issued the summons, failed to notify the court, presided over by magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera. Consequently, the magistrate fined Mr Lowell Lm25 and issued an arrest warrant against him.

Mr Lowell asked the court to investigate the case, find who changed the time and take the necessary action against those who could have jeopardised his bail conditions, which include a Lm5,000 personal guarantee. He praised the court for immediately withdrawing the arrest warrant and described it as “a fountain of maturity and impartiality”.

Dr Emmy Bezzina signed the application.