Shadow Minister for Home Affairs Beppe Fenech Adami today said some prisoners are “untouchables” thanks to their links with certain ministers.

Dr Fenech Adami said some prisoners boast they are friends with certain ministers thus making them “untouchables.”

He said it is unacceptable that a prisoner is beaten up by fellow inmates with no explanation or inquiry being held.

“The Opposition believes the priority for people in prison should be reform. Prisoners should be given the opportunity to reform themselves.”

It was a Nationalist government that introduced the concept of parole, he said.

He said the current parole system leaves a lot to be desired, and prisoners are not even given specific reasons when their parole is turned down.

Armed Forces of Malta

On the Armed Forces of Malta, Dr Fenech Adami said it is vital to continue investing in equipment and training for soldiers.

The AFM has fallen victim to this government’s politics. There is no place in the AFM for people who do not agree with the government, he said.

Political discrimination is rife, he said, with those with the right contacts gaining promotions.

The former AFM Commander Martin Xuereb’s life was made hell, Dr Fenech Adami said, in order for the government to get rid of him.

The current AFM Commander was given a “world record” four promotions in the space of four weeks by the Labour government.

Dr Fenech Adami said the Home Affairs Ministry has done huge damage to the Ombudsman by contesting the institution’s right to investigate promotions given in the AFM.

He appealed to Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela to remedy the injustices of the past two-and-a-half-years. More than this, Mr Abela has to prevent further injustices, Dr Fenech Adami said.

Police

Turning to the Police Force, Dr Fenech Adami said the Force has had four Commissioners in two-and-a-half years.

The Police have been in the news for all the wrong reasons, he said.

The appointment of Peter Paul Zammit as Commissioner was “disastrous,” Dr Fenech Adami said.

It is no joke when 10 per cent of the police force leaves, he said.

Dr Fenech Adami said police vehicles were being purchased via direct orders, raising suspicions of corruption.

He appealed to Minister Abela to investigate the matter.

He said that while a tender had been issued for once car costing €9,000, a €300,000 contract for second-hand cars was given in direct orders to a car dealer. 

He also raised questions about the amount of Algerians being given visas at the Maltese consulate in Algeria.

These Algerians are only spending a few hours in Malta before moving on to mainland Europe.

6,781 visas have been issued to Algerians by the consulate since March last year.

He called on the government to explain what is happening at the consulate.