[WATCH] Police officers assaulted after issuing fine for illegally parked vehicle

Five individuals have been arrested in connection with an assault on two police officers in Hamrun on Saturday night.

The incident occurred around 8:30pm in Triq il Kbira San Guzepp, Hamrun, when four Maltese men and a woman attacked the officers while they were issuing a fine for an illegally parked vehicle, leading to a confrontation with several people who were at a nearby establishment.

Elton Borg, the owner of the Ħamrun restaurant Strada Rjali, is one of five people who were arrested after attacking two policemen in the fight that broke out

Video footage circulating on social media captures the moment of the assault, showing the officers being grabbed, thrown to the ground, and physically attacked. One officer used pepper spray while another took out his baton in response to the escalating violence.

Following the incident, additional police units arrived to help control the situation. The woman, aged 42, along with two men aged 46 and 44, were arrested at the scene.

Two other suspects fled but were later apprehended at their residences after being identified through investigations.

A medical team was dispatched to treat the injured officers and take them to Mater Dei Hospital for treatment where it was later certified that one sustained serious injuries while the other suffered minor injuries

Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri condemned the assault, stating, “I call not only for more respect towards the police force but also towards each other. This should also be reflected in the decisions of the Court.”

An emergency court sitting is scheduled for today as police investigations are ongoing.

Nationalist Party reaction

Reacting to the incident, the Nationalist Party made an appeal for efforts and investment to be made when it comes to resources and the number of officers in the Police Force

The PN shadow minister stated “the incident that occurred last night has once again made it clear how the police force is lacking in resources, as a small number of officers were unable to control a group of people during the fight that broke out.”

The Nationalist Party expressed solidarity with the officers who put themselves in danger in trying to maintain order. 

“A future PN government will seriously invest in the conditions of service for officers and in public order,” the statement read.

Cassola, MHRA react

Arnold Cassola, as well as the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) reacted to the incident by stating that such situations cannot be accepted

The former MEP independent candidate stated “arrogant bullies are taking the law into their own hands, even getting violent on a simple police ticket. This is a clear irreverence to the rule of law and the absence of any respect towards our police officers - the personification of law and order.”

In a separate incident the MHRA expressed their solidarity with the two policemen assaulted and to the police force in general.

“MHRA trusts that the judicial process will be expedited. Clearly this is an attack on our most important institution that is responsible for our law and order,” the statement read.