Repubblika Slams PM Abela For Shielding Corrupt Ministers And Intimidating Critics
In a recent press release, Repubblika has voiced deep concern over Prime Minister Robert Abela’s handling of allegations involving ministers Clayton Bartolo and Clint Camilleri.
Repubblika said that both ministers should have been dismissed for “stealing” public funds for personal benefit.
According to Repubblika, Abela’s response not only allows these ministers to remain in their positions but also shields them from accountability, undermining public trust in the government.
“It is really worrying that Prime Minister Robert Abela repeats the vilifications that brought down his predecessor,” Repubblika states in the press release.
In defending his ministers, Abela criticised Repubblika’s call for police intervention, dismissing the organisation as a “branch of the PN” and accusing it of filing a false report – a charge that Repubblika strongly denies.
Repubblika also highlights a call from PL activist Emanuel Cuschieri for punitive action against their lawyer, Jason Azzopardi, who has reportedly faced threats to his safety. Cuschieri’s remarks, according to Repubblika, suggest stripping Azzopardi of his police security, potentially endangering him further.
This, they argue, is another tactic aimed at intimidating those who represent or support anti-corruption efforts.
“Everyone, including us of Repubblica, has the right to consult our trusted lawyers and the intimidation towards them and the violent threats against them by the spokesmen of the regime are an outrage of that right.”
“We abhor corruption which among its forms is the theft of public money for private gain. Where we know this happens we denounce it regardless of whether the thief who is caught enjoys us or not.”
“Civil society has an important function in a democratic society to watch over the people in power, denounce corruption and take all the action that the law allows so that those who are caught in the act pay for their actions. Although Robert Abela calls us ‘a branch of the PN’ and mobilises his supporters to hate us, we are not going to be silent.”
“Whoever does not fight corruption, is also corrupt. Our means are limited but we use them all. We have a right as citizens to ask the police to take action and we exercise that right responsibly. The Prime Minister has a duty to fire the ministers who are caught stealing and they have not fulfilled their duty.”
Finally, Repubblika “hold[s] Prime Minister Robert Abela responsible for the consequences of the intimidation he is mobilising against [them] and against those who represent [them],” underscoring the essential role of civic groups in safeguarding democratic principles, demanding transparency and accountability from those in power.
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