Robert Abela is choosing to continue defending Alex Dalli and the way he managed the Corradino Correctional Facility, despite the Ombudsman finding that Dalli was responsible for degrading and inhumane treatment, racism, intimidation, and human rights violations in the prison, the Nationalist Party said Friday. Under Dalli's leadership, no fewer than 14 inmates died at Corradino, including a substantial number of suicides.

However, instead of taking action and assuming responsibility, Abela is not only retaining Dalli in his position as Special Envoy to Libya but is even defending him while attacking the Ombudsman for doing his job and publishing the report, the PN said, through spokesman Darren Carabott. The Prime Minister accused Emeritus Judge Joseph Zammit McKeon of taking the easy way out by sitting behind a desk, passing judgment, and writing reports.

Whenever the Prime Minister disagrees with what institutions say, his rhetoric of "let the institutions work" is quickly abandoned, as he rushes to attack them instead, the PN said

This case further confirms how disconnected Robert Abela is from reality and how deeply entrenched his Government is in a culture of impunity. In a democratic country, a responsible Prime Minister would not allow someone found guilty of abuses to remain in a public position, let alone grant them another post abroad with a salary exceeding €100,000 per year.

While expressing solidarity with the Ombudsman in the face of this vile attack by the Prime Minister, the Partit Nazzjonalista reiterates that institutions should be respected, not attacked, when they carry out their duties. Once again, Robert Abela is prioritising his inner circle's interests over the national interest, continuing to demonstrate that accountability holds no value for him.

The PN also recalled that the abuses carried out at the Corradino Correctional Facility under Alex Dalli's leadership, as listed in the Ombudsman's report, took place under the watch of Minister Byron Camilleri. Despite this, Camilleri continued to express full confidence in someone who turned the prison into a place of humiliation for inmates. Therefore, Minister Camilleri - who holds political responsibility for the Prison - should also be held accountable, the PN said.

A few days ago, the Opposition submitted a motion of no confidence in Byron Camilleri in Parliament after the Speaker rejected a request for an urgent debate on the Ombudsman's report, following objections raised by the Government side. Camilleri should either resign, or be removed by the Prime Minister, the statement said.

The people of Malta and Gozo deserve a government that respects institutions and acts seriously when cases of abuse and human rights violations are reported. The PN will continue to expose these abuses and will persist in its fight for a Malta where the rule of law is an absolute priority.