Inquiry launched into death of Corradino inmate

A magisterial inquiry has been launched into the death of prison inmate Joseph Camilleri, 58 of Rabat, who was serving his prison sentence at the Corradino Correctional Facility.

Camilleri was convicted in 2012 for importing cocaine and ecstasy at a street value of €200,000 and jailed for 12 years.

He had imported the drugs from Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and admitted to the charges in a trial by jury. A suspected accomplice, Matthew Bajada, had been acquitted of the same charges in a separate trial by jury in January 2013.

According to the statement from the Department of Information, Camilleri was taken ill at 7:55am as he was making his way to his prison division. He was given first aid by prison nurses, and was still being administered first aid by the prison doctor at 8:10am. An ambulance arrived at 8:20am.

Camilleri died in Mater Dei Hospital later this morning.

The incident was documented on CCTV, and police investigations have already started.