Updated | Police reply to Repubblika, say protection has been granted to Jason Azzopardi

Updated at 7pm with police statement

Lawyer Jason Azzopardi has been granted police protection since 16 June, the police said in a statement on Monday evening.

Azzopardi has a police officer assigned to his private residence, the police said.

The statement was a reaction to a statement by civil society NGO Repubblika that requested protection for Azzopardi, its legal advisor, and the lawyer of the Caruana Galizia family.

In a letter to acting police commissioner Carmelo Magri, copied to the President of the Republic, Prof. Vicki Cremona said the Nationalist MP should have adequate protection.

The NGO made a first request on 15 June. The next day contact was made with Azzopardi, but Cremona said no action was taken.

“I remind you that the people who commissioned, planned and carried out the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia are people with great power and connections, and political and institutional infiltration, including the police corps.

“We ask once again that you give Jason Azzopardi protection, as well as to anyone who could be in danger because of this assassination case,” Cremona told Magri.