Former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s wife Michelle Muscat took to social media to defend her husband’s right to exercise his freedom of speech.

In a post on Friday, Muscat was referring to Magistrate Rachel Montebello’s order in Tuesday’s court sitting, where the former prime minister and his co-accused, including former chief of staff Keith Schembri and former health minister Konrad Mizzi, could not make any public comments about any testimony or evidence in the proceedings.

Joseph Muscat is one of many who are facing criminal charges in court over their involvement in the Vitals deal.

His wife defended him, saying that in a country which prides itself on European values and everyone can exercise freedom of speech, “the Attorney General decided that Joseph should be denied the right to speak.”

“Everyone can say and invent what they want about this famous inquiry (and on more than that). They can make programs and invent and say what they want. No one wanted or tried to stop them. Only Joseph can't speak,” Michelle said.

She questioned who is bothered when Joseph speaks, and that there are those who do not want him to continue communicating with the people.

“Imagine if the Attorney General had stopped someone else from speaking, given all the statements and protests that have been made,” Michelle said.

She said that now that Joseph cannot speak, the lies have increased.

“They even scandalize themselves that he continues to work both in Malta and abroad. They scandalize themselves that we get up in the morning and continue working. Hysterical stories fit for a film,” Michelle said.

She continued that no wonder “they” were surprised by the large and civil crowd in Valletta.

Michelle thanked all those who have shown support and backing wherever they are met.