The Nationalist Party on Saturday condemned the acts of intimidation that have occurred in recent days against professionals assisting victims of abuse, namely lawyer Jason Azzopardi.

The PN said that these acts were allegedly perpetrated by individuals close to Prime Minister Robert Abela.

“Christian Borg's company, No Deposit Cars Malta Ltd, a business partner of Robert Abela, has been attacking lawyer Jason Azzopardi in an irresponsible manner because he is the legal consultant for a number of individuals who claim to have suffered harm from the same company,” PN’s spokesperson for Justice Karol Aquilina said.

The PN said that the behaviour of Borg's company is unacceptable in a democratic society and confirms that there is still a culture of impunity that is being enjoyed by a clique of people close to Robert Abela and Joseph Muscat.

The Nationalist Party urged businesses in our country to continue to act responsibly and with full respect for consumer rights, especially their right to take all legal actions necessary to protect their interests as consumers, and to choose their trusted lawyer to assist them in protecting their rights in front of our courts.

Borg is also accused of abducting, beating and threatening a man over a missing van in a separate case.

Chamber of Advocates condemns mocking poster of lawyer Jason Azzopardi

The Chamber of Advocates has condemned the action by No Deposit Cars Malta, who affixed the poster to the front of their showroom in Qormi mocking lawyer Jason Azzopardi.

The used car company, which is being accused of fraud by its clients, put up a poster mocking lawyer Jason Azzopardi, who is leading the case against the firm, with the aim of ridiculing Azzopardi.

It condemned the action, which the Chamber considered as an attempt addressed specifically to the lawyer, to somehow try to influence Azzopardi in the performance of his duties towards his clients.

The Chamber condemned any attempt against members of the legal profession, which is used as some from of intimidation against the lawyer, or to obstruct in the performance of his duties.

“It is the lawyer’s duty to assist his clients in the best way possible, without having to be subjected to attacks. In an adversarial process, it is obvious that the counterpart in that process will have something to say, and will not agree with what a lawyer will have to say to make his client’s case,” the Chamber said, calling it a matter of maturity, which cannot lead to any intimidation or publicly ridiculing the lawyer for doing his job.

“The role of the lawyer is precisely the one who participates in the complete process to do justice and this without the lawyer not being publicly criticized, precisely and simply because it is his duty,” it said.

The Chamber said that it believes no one should undermine this fundamental right, stressing that in order to ensure the rule of law, it is essential that each lawyer is allowed to perform the duties of his professional role in freedom, and without hindrance, intimidation or threats.

The Chamber called for the immediate removal of the poster, and reserved the right to take it down and take all the necessary steps if this is not done.