Comedian Targeted By Pastor Manché Gets Free Legal Help Through Daphne Foundation Network
A comedian who is being hauled to court by police for calling pastor Gordon Manché an “asshole” during a stand-up show is benefitting from free legal assistance through a network set up by the Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation.
PILN (Public Interest Litigation Network) was set up by the Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation in 2021 to provide pro bono legal assistance in cases of human rights violations, discrimination and cases of public interest.
They have already taken on some major cases, including representing Isabelle Bonnici in the public inquiry into her son’s death, and Jaiteh Lamin, a construction worker who was abandoned on the side of the road after suffering workplace injury.
Next on their list is Daniel Xuereb, a comedian who police have charged on the basis of a complaint filed by River of Love pastor Gordon Manché, a move that has widely been seen as a gross violation of free speech.
You can watch the actual skit that led to the charges below:
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Although the government has pledged to update the law to “strengthen free artistic expression”, the police have ramped up their action against their comedian.
In a recent statement by PILN, lawyers Cedric Mifsud and Michael Camilleri said the prosecution have informed them they will slap him with a third unknown charge – over and above misusing electronic equipment and insulting Manché.
“The PILN is of the belief that the prosecution’s decision to add a charge against Xuereb, and the comedian’s criminal prosecution in the first place, has a chilling effect and is a threat to the right to freedom of expression,” they said.
Should this case be thrown out of court?
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