Repubblika president Robert Aquilina has again asked for police protection after repeated threats and an attempted break-in at his residence.

The request was made in a letter Aquilina, through his lawyer Therese Comodini Cachia, wrote to the police commissioner Angelo Gafa. The text of the letter was made public.

In it, Aquilina requests “sufficient protection to secure his ability to participate in public engagement in his right of freedom of expression without fear, harassment or threats”.  

Aquilina said that since at least last April he has brought to the attention of the police information which “indicates the nature of the risk that threatens his safety and that of his family”.

The police were also informed about signs of an attempted break-in at his residence and of witnesses who saw him being followed “by persons close to the network of politicians of whom he is critical in his activism”.

“The risks to him are no longer only from those who are instigated by disparaging and divisive public rhetoric uttered by politicians,” including that made by Prime Minister Robert Abela in Parliament on 23 October, the letter says.

This has already led to individuals threatening Aquilina, but now the risks “appear to be of a more serious nature”.

It is of concern that the police has failed to identify and act upon this risk without having to be prodded to take action, the letter goes on, again calling for the police to provide Aquilina with protection.

The letter in full can be found below

Letter to police commissioner

In a statement, Repubblika expressed its concern that the police were not taking action to protect Aquilina.