Norman Vella case | Police did its ‘duty according to law’

The Police Corps defended the course of investigations into allegations that Norman Vella may have breached security protocol at the Malta International Airport.

Yesterday the court ordered that the police should return a mobile phone and iPad seized from Vella, after finding no reasonable suspicion that a crime had been committed when he was reported of allegedly photographing two government officials inside the Malta airport.

The confiscated items had however been sealed and handed over to the courts as evidence.

The Opposition's spokesperson for home affairs Jason Azzopardi accused the Police Commissioner of being "a partisan tool in government's hands".

According to Azzopardi, the police investigation had not been conducted properly and there had been abuse of power.

But in a reaction, the Police said it had carried out its duty according to the law. "The Police's duty is to uncover and investigate crimes and conserve evidence deemed relevant to the case," the Police's communications office said.

It explained that every investigation starts off from a suspicion which could - or could not - lead to the arraignment of a person.

"In this case no one had yet been arraigned and the Police exhibited the sealed mobile and tablet according to legal procedures and the authority of the court," the CMRU said.

In fact, it added, the Police could not return Vella's items as these were kept in the Court's exhibition chamber out of the Police's control and possession.