Former prime minister Joseph Muscat testified in his case requesting the replacement of the magistrate leading the hospitals deal inquiry
Joseph Muscat testifies in his case to replace magistrate in hospitals inquiry
On Thursday, Muscat called on the court to order Gabriella Vella’s recusal from the magisterial inquiry, because she “took her relatives’ side” when she refused.
Vella had turned down Muscat’s initial request, and classified social media comments published by her father and brother as “free expression”.
Muscat is asking for an interim measure that will stop Vella from actively taking part in the hospitals probe until a final decision is delivered in his case.
Civil society NGO Repubblika filed an application asking to intervene in Muscat’s case, highlighting that it first called for an inquiry in 2019.
Repubblika’s president Robert Aquilina said the organisation had a “direct, concrete and substantial interest”.
Lawyer Jason Azzopardi quoted case law and decrees all the way back to the 1990s to back up the civil society group’s argumentation.
Lawyer Charlon Gouder, appearing for Muscat, questioned whether Repubblika and Aquilina have a juridical interest in the matter.
Proceedings commenced before the First Hall of the Civil Court in its constitutional jurisdiction, and will resume on 5 July from 8.30am.
