The Nationalist Party has condemned the 'attacks' made by Prime Minister Robert Abela and former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat on the judiciary, deeming them as unacceptable in a democratic society.

The PN said that for several months, Abela has been targeting the magistrate leading the inquiry into the death of Jean Paul Sofia, who fell victim to a construction site collapse last December.

"Abela is attacking the magistrate while, at the same time, defending himself and refusing a Public Inquiry, as requested by Jean Paul Sofia's mother," the PN said.

It also said that in recent days, Muscat has followed in Abela's footsteps and embarked on a systematic campaign of attacks against the magistrate who, for the past four years, has been leading the magisterial inquiry into the sale of public hospitals to Vitals and Steward. Muscat had requested for Magistrate Gabriella Vella to recuse herself from the inquiry, wanting it to be passed on to another member of the judiciary to, he said, secure impartiality, citing that the inquiry has had continuous leaks and that Vella did not decree any of his requests to testify as part of it.

"The attacks by Robert Abela and Joseph Muscat are intended solely to shield themselves and those around them from justice, in cases of serious abuse of power, corruption, and money laundering," the PN said.

The PN alleged that these attacks are not happening by chance but are planned and executed in a manner that seeks to undermine the judiciary and its duties.

The attacks also attempt to erode the respect and confidence that the Maltese and Gozitan people have in the judiciary, it said.

The PN expressed its strong solidarity with the judiciary and appealed for Abela and Muscat to cease their attacks and, instead, publicly acknowledge the role of the courts as the last bastion of democracy.