Sliema Mayor Nikki Dimech released on bail, charged with bribery and threatening prosecutor in MaltaToday interview

Sliema Mayor Nikki Dimech was granted bail against a deposit of €1,000 and a €5,000 guarantee bond after being charged in court over his controversial statement released to the police from the Economic Crimes Unit , where he reportedly 'admitted' to asking for a commission over the contract awarded to the former Sliema council contracts manager Stephen Buhagiar, 

Police Inspector Angelo Gafa' told Magistrate Apap Bologna that he was the officer who was threatened by Nikki Dimech through the contents of an interview released to MaltaToday on Sunday 22 August ,where he alleged that he was pressured by the police during the course of their investigations and interrogation on the case.

According to Inspector Angelo Gafa, the Sliema Mayor slandered the police corps when he said in the interview that he admitted to bribery 'under duress' during his interrogation, that he was denied his inhaler and as not allowed a lawyer while in custody.

The Inspector opposed bail, given that through his investigations it transpired that Nikki Dimech tried to approach Buhagiar through a council employee in a bid to dissuade him from pursuing the police report he had originally lodged. He added that Dimech could tamper with witnesses to the case.

Defense lawyers Joseph Giglio and Stephen Tonna Lowell contested their client's arrest and evening arraignment, but Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna decided at the end that the arrest was justified given the "seriousness" of the first charge that related to bribery and that the accused was a public official.

In the charge sheet, the police asked the court to impose a general interdiction on Nikki Dimech if found guilty as charged.

The sitting that started at 20.15pm, ended at 9.10pm, with Magistrate Apap Bologna ordering Nikki Dimech's girlfriend to leave the court room after Inspector Gafa informed him that the woman was making gestures at him.

Dimech has since resigned from the PN but has held on to the mayorship, while the party secretary general has been active in promoting a motion between the remaining PN councilors to oust Nikki Dimech from office.

Sources close to Dimech's defense counsel have told MaltaToday that the arraignment yesterday "was too close to comfort as it is clear that it comes with a clear intent to influence tomorrow's vote."

Nikki Dimech was summoned to the police headquarters in Floriana at 3.30pm yesterday and exited the CID yard in an unmarked police car accompanied by Inspector Angelo Gafa at 19.45 pm. Dimech was placed under arrest soon after he entered the police headquarters and was later whisked up through the back door of the law courts in Strait Street in Valletta. He was then led through the lock-up cells beneath the courts and taken by lift to the upper floors where he faced Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna.

MaltaToday reported yesterday that every household in Sliema had recieved a personalised letter signed by PN secretary general Paul Borg Olivier explaining his reasons why Nikki Dimech was asked to resign from the party.

Last Saturday, Police Inspector Angelo Gafa' charged 32 year-old Noel Agius, son of San Gwann Mayor Joseph Agius for having asked for a bribe from waste collection contractors who bid to service the locality.

Noel Agius admitted the charges and was sentenced to four years imprisonment, suspended for two years and a general perpetual interdiction.

Meanwhile, his father Joseph Agius has announced his resignation as mayor and PN member and is also expected to face the same charges.

He is currently in hospital following heart failure when informed of his arrest.

During August, PN's deputy Mayor of Gharb was arrested and charged with statutory rape, while Santa Venera PN Mayor Elizabeth Vella resigned her post over irregularities that were pointed out in a governmental report about mishandling of council funds.