The Prime Minister has told a court that he is proud of his secretariat’s handling of a controversial migrant rescue case last year but denied direct involvement.

The case revolves around Malta’s coordination of a rescue of migrants in international waters last year by private fishing boats and the controversy that ensued after these were returned to Libya.

“I am proud of what we did because although we had no obligation, we went beyond the call of duty. No prime minister in the world would get involved in the nitty gritty of rescues. We were just a month into the COVID pandemic,” Abela told Mr Justice Lawrence Mintoff on Wednesday.

Cross-examined by lawyer Paul Borg Olivier, who is representing 52 asylum seekers who are claiming they were pushed back to Libya by the Maltese authorities, Abela replied: “I was told by the Head of Secretariat that many lives were saved. There was no direct role or direction from my side. The captain knew precisely when he left port what the situation of the vessel was.”

Abela repeatedly insisted that Malta had abided by its international obligations.

“This was not isolated humanitarian assistance but something we do consistently. 30 tonnes of food and drink were provided by the Maltese government. We also give fuel to help boats continue on their voyage. Operations were in the hands of the head of secretariat, Clyde Caruana,” Abela continued.

He added that the use of private vessels to rescue people in distress continues throughout the year. “We do this to save lives.”

The lawyers also made arguments revolving around a request by Paul Borg Olivier for the Prime Minister to exhibit documents of the testimony he gave in front of the magisterial inquiry into the alleged pushback.

Borg Olivier also wants the Prime Minister to exhibit the testimonies of his former head of secretariat Clyde Caruana and Neville Gafa. However, the State Advocate is objecting, insisting the Prime Minister could not be obliged to reveal protected documents. The judge has also raised the prospect that Borg Olivier’s request could be tantamount of asking the Prime Minister to breach the inquiry’s secrecy.

The case continues in November.

The case is against the Prime Minister, National Security and Law Enforcement Minister Byron Camilleri and AFM commander Brigadier Jeffrey Curmi.

Lawyers Paul Borg Olivier and Eve Borg Costanzi are appearing on behalf of 52 would-be asylum seekers who had been pushed back to Libya in the spring of 2020 aboard the Dar es Salaam, a Libyan-flagged fishing vessel owned by a Maltese businessman.