Pregnant Rosianne Cutajar Doesn’t Show ‘For Medical Reasons’ At Libel Proceedings Against Mark Camilleri
MP Rosianne Cutajar did not show up to give testimony at her libel hearing against author Mark Camilleri.
The proceedings were postponed when her legal representation informed the court that she was indisposed for “medical reasons”.
Cutajar is over six months pregnant – and while the medical reasons weren’t expanded upon, it may be understandable that she may have to be careful about entering into high-stress situations such as court proceedings.
The case has been deferred by a week, when the witness will be once again be expected to take the stand.
The former Social Affairs Chairperson opened a libel case against Camilleri for posting statements addressed to Cutajar on social media.
In these statements, Camilleri alleged that Cutajar was once in a sexual relationship with Daphne Caruana Galizia murder suspect Yorgen Fenech.
At the time, Cutajar released a statement saying, “I won’t allow anyone to gain popularity through their writings at the cost of my integrity. I’m a human being like everyone else and I have a family.”
Since then, Camilleri has been responsible for the release of hundreds of pages of WhatsApp message transcripts on his blog – which exposed that alleged affair to thousands.
Cutajar has opened libel cases against people who have published derogatory materials about her in the past – yet the strength of this case feels markedly different – given that it would appear the affair really did take place.
After Cutajar’s resignation, Camilleri’s lawyer Joseph Mizzi asked the court presiding over the libel suit to authorise his client to give testimony remotely – because Camilleri is not in Malta.
He has refused to return to Malta because he intends to stay “out of [Robert Abela’s] reach”, and has described the PM as a “dictator”.
Cutajar’s lawyer objected to the request by arguing that allowing Camilleri to testify remotely would allow him to evade “justice”.
How strong do you think about Cutajar’s case against Camilleri is?
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