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Former Infrastructure Malta Head Cleared Of Environmental Crime Charges Over Wied Qirda Illegal Works

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Former Infrastructure Malta CEO Frederick Azzopardi has been cleared of blame for illegal works that were carried out at Wied Qirda, Ħaż-Żebbuġ.

Azzopardi was charged with breaking environmental protection laws by undertaking illegal works in a sensitive area and ignoring a stop and compliance order issued by the Environment and Resources Authority.

Things got heated in 2019 when ERA officials asked IM workers to stop their works and respect the ERA order and the workers ignored them.

Protected carob trees were uprooted and sensitive habitats were destroyed to widen a road leading up to a private residence.

ERA Enforcement Director Aimee Brincat had stated that the administrative penalty issued by the Authority against “Ing. Frederick Azzopardi Infrastructure Malta” and “Infrastructure Malta, Ing. Frederick Azzopardi” had been fully paid up.

The director also confirmed that there were no other pending dues and that for the authority the case was “completely closed”.

The prosecution argued that the penalty was paid by IM, not Azzopardi, but the court pointed out that ERA only claimed payment from IM and not from Azzopardi in his personal capacity. Only one invoice was issued by ERA.

Since the administrative fine was paid before the charges were pressed against Azzopardi Montebello declared that the charges could not subsist.

All other charges are time-barred, and the magistrate cleared Azzopardi of all criminal liability.

Lawyers Stephen Tonna Lowell, Stefano Filletti, Rachel Powell and Ana Thomas were defence counsel.

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Mario enjoys reading, cooking, the art of film and travelling. A man of this world, he believes that the earth needs more equitable distribution of assets and resources - and way more seafood platters. Contact him via email at [email protected]

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