The Chamber of Advocates today unreservedly condemned the threats addressed to Magistrate Nadine Lia in the course of performing her duties.
Such criminal behaviour, intended to influence the serenity with which a member of the judiciary should be allowed to perform this delicate function, should never be allowed to happen in a democratic country which embraces the principles of justice, the chamber said in a statement.
Earlier this week, Magistrate Nadine Lia received an anonymous letter in which the sender/s threatened to break up her marriage and career. The magistrate is at the centre of a controversy afte she refused to recuse herself from hearing a case filed by Repubblika against the police commissioner and attorney general. Lia is the daughter in law of lawyer Pawlu Lia, who is the defence lawyer of former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.
In its statement, the Chamber expressed its full support to Magistrate Lia and to all members of the judiciary who, like her, strive to serve the best administration of justice. The Chamber said it trusted that the Executive Police will take all the necessary steps to ensure that the perpetrator of this criminal act will be investigated and prosecuted according to the law.
The Judiciary Association also expressed its solidarity with the magistrate.