Watch: ‘I’ve Checked Under My Car’ – Jason Azzopardi Opens Up About Assassination Fears
Jason Azzopardi has admitted that he fears for his life and personal safety but pledged not to let these concerns condition his actions.
In an exclusive interview with Lovin Malta, which will be published in the coming days, I asked the lawyer and former PN MP whether he fears for his own safety.
“If I had to say no I’d be lying, but if I had to say yes, I’d be allowing it to condition me,” he said as he quoted Giovanni Falcone, an Italian prosecutor who was assassinated by the Corleonesi Mafia in 1992.
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“Falcone was once asked that same question and he responded that courage isn’t the absence of fear but the knowledge of how to live with that fear. Without comparing myself to such a great man, an idol, I will try to answer similarly.”
Azzopardi said that there have been times while driving when he wondered if the motorbike that had just overtaken him was being ridden by someone about to shoot him.
He also confirmed that he has checked under his car, fearing that a criminal might have planted a bomb there, similar to what happened to Daphne Caruana Galizia.
He said he once offered a lift to someone but they were scared to get in the car with him in case it was targeted, and even his girlfriend has expressed fear of an assassination.
“However, come what may, I don’t let it condition me,” he said. “I’m not special, I am just doing my duty, and if I let it condition me it will paralyse me. You overcome fear by fighting it, and by displaying resilience and courage to show that you won’t be conditioned by it.”
Azzopardi added that Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà refused to protect him and Repubblika activist Robert Aquilina but that he doesn’t want to talk at length about this episode because he isn’t after self-pity.
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