The Notarial Council has "condemned the despicable act and personal attack" against Notary Robert Aquilina, who is also the President of the civil society group Repubblika, by Manuel Cuschieri during his programme 'Linja Diretta'.

The Notarial Council draws Cuschieri's attention that the public, including any entities, have a free right to choose any practicing notary from an official list that is published each year on the Government Gazette, and who holds their trust,  in order to use their services. This same notary consequently has an indisputable right to be paid for his services."

"Every public notary is protected by law to provide their services as a public official, and as such, the Notarial Council on Malta, in the name of the Notarial College, is asking and demanding that Cuschieri makes a public apology to Robert Aquilina, who has a right to exercise his profession without any type of intimidation." 

The council's statement was made following a programme by Cuschieri, who took aim at Repubblika President Robert Aquilina. "Notary Aquilina, was what I am informed about true, that you are a notary and provide your services to the Archbishop's Curia," Cuschieri asked. "Do you do this voluntarily or does the Curia, as you have a right to work, pays you for giving it these kinds of services," he asked. Among other things, he also asked: "Maybe the Curia could tell us how the choice fell onto someone who is always against everything that is Labour," he said. "How was it that the Curia, when it came to choosing, didn't realise he wasn't just a notary in his profession, but is also a big activist against all that is Labour. Does it not bother the Archbishop's Curia?" He also asked questions about Alessandra Dee Crespo being employed with the Curia. 

Repubblika has also issued a statement "strongly condemning the attack that Manuel Cuschieri, an agent of Joseph Muscat, made on Robert Aquilina and Alessandra Dee Crespo, the President and Vice President of Repubblika."

Repubblika said it will not fear attacks like this as "we will not stop talking about the pigging out that is going on around us. It seems that Manuel Cuschieri wants Robert Aquilina and Alessandra Dee Crespo to end up without jobs. This is irony coming from a person who considers himself to be a paladin of the party of the workers."

"If he wants to use his time to do good, it would be better that he speak about false jobs and other issues where there are people being paid thousands to do nothing except keep their mouths shut and not stir up trouble."

"We await on the Prime Minister to be clear and take a public position regarding Cuschieri's attacks. Repubblika will consider silence as agreement in these circumstances," Repubblika said.
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