VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Anger and calls to abolish Malta’s jury system have intensified following the acquittal of Lorin Scicluna, a former Armed Forces of Malta soldier, over the 2019 murder of Lassana Cisse, with civil society groups and activists questioning whether the country’s justice system can deliver accountability.
Cisse, an Ivorian father of two, was shot dead on 6 April 2019 while walking home in Ħal Far. Prosecutors argued that the attack was racially motivated. Three other men were also attacked. More than seven years later, his family is still waiting for justice, while the acquittal has intensified demands for institutional accountability and fundamental reform of Malta’s judicial system.
The verdict has reignited criticism of Malta’s handling of high-profile murder cases, particularly following the acquittal of Yorgen Fenech over his alleged involvement in the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. Matthew Caruana Galizia called for the immediate abolition of the jury system, describing the verdict as another acquittal of someone allegedly complicit in murder and questioning whether the public was being left without justice.
Moviment Graffitti warned that corruption and institutional failures had undermined Malta‘s sense of justice.
Political party Momentum said the judicial system had failed both Cisse and the public, stressing that nobody had been held responsible for his murder seven years after he was shot dead. It questioned how the prosecution had failed to establish criminal responsibility.
The NGO Repubblika called for an independent and comprehensive examination of Malta’s justice system, including the police, prosecution services and courts, arguing that institutional shortcomings must be addressed and those responsible held accountable.
Academics and activists expressed anger and sadness, pointing to wider institutional failures involving the police, army, hospitals and judiciary.
-Photo Net News-
(ITALPRESS).
