Malta’s Armed Forces have said that investigating claims of sexual harassment and assault within its ranks does not fall within its remit following revelations of alleged misconduct from one of its officers. 

Lovin Malta recently revealed that a member of Malta’s armed forces is facing allegations of harassment after sending a series of sexually explicit images and videos to a former lover. The AFM had been informed of the incident. 

The Armed Forces of Malta, the Home Affairs Ministry, and Bridagier Jeffrey Curmi are yet to reply to questions sent over the issue. Still, the AFM has issued a right of reply. 

Its full right of reply is below:

“The Armed Forces of Malta categorically denies being a recipient of videos depicting the conduct being alleged and suggested in the article. It is reminded that the role, duties and functions of the Armed Forces of Malta are different from those of the Malta Police Force. Hence, when a complaint is received which is within the remit of another authority, the complainant is directed towards the proper channel. This is certainly not a case of ‘omerta’  as the article seeks to suggest but quite the opposite as the matter is referred to the investigation of another party.”

“Your article claims that the woman does “not wish criminal action against the individual”. It is beyond the AFM’s control if the complainant in question prefers to ‘report’ to media houses and the general public rather than to the Malta Police Force. The proper channels to report are in place and the complainant was duly directed towards them. In her communication with the AFM, the complainant in question at no point identified or revealed the name of the alleged soldier she was complaining about. Hence, false claims were either made by her with your portal, or the reporting is incorrect.”

“The Armed Forces of Malta additionally finds it highly unprofessional and misleading that the AFM Commander’s image is being used next to the image of an unidentified third party’s partial lower abdomen, without caption, and beneath a title of sexual harassment claims by a ‘Maltese Army Official’. Such conduct would appear to be intended solely for vexatious purposes and to taint the person and character of the AFM’s Commander. Such action is seen as unethical and unprofessional particularly when coming from a media outlet and not from an individual on social media who may not know better.”

“The Armed Forces of Malta, whilst condemning any acts of sexual harassment wherever these may take place, encourage that these be reported to the competent authorities through the appropriate channels.”

What do you think of the reply?