Lawyer and former PN MP Franco Debono has dropped charges against a Nationalist Party activist who made threats of violence against him in a voice message on a WhatsApp group chat.

Nationalist Party activist Charles Zammit made a public apology on his Facebook page, saying that he immediately regretted his words and that he never meant to hurt or harm the lawyer. In the threatening message, which was posted on the closed group chat last November, he said, “I won’t rest until I smash his face.”

Debono accepted the apology and forgave him for the incident. He has dropped the criminal complaint in court on Friday, informing Magistrate Ian Farrugia of his decision to put a stop to the matter.

Zammit’s lawyer highlighted the fact that he had expressed immediate regret for his actions and has fully cooperated with the police. The court declared the accused guilty upon his own admission, discharging him for six months and ordering him to pay a fine of €100.

Zammit was charged with instigating hate speech or violence, insults and threats, as well as misuse of electronic communication equipment, which saw a possible maximum jail sentence of 18 months, and a result of a far heftier fine.

Lawyer Marion Camilleri assisted Debono whilst lawyer Silvio Brincat was defence counsel. Inspector Kylie Borg prosecuted.