WATCH: Sicilian Contractor: ‘Maltese Police Beat Me Up In Front Of My Sons Because I Asked Them For Help’
A Sicilian contractor has claimed he was beaten up by a group of policeman from the Rapid Intervention Unit simply for pleading for their help after his truck was put on fire.
Video footage of Fabrizio Sciré, who has been living in Malta for three years, getting beaten up by the RIU officers was published today by Sicilian news portal Siracusa News.
The incident took place on 23rd February outside Sciré’s store in Ħaż-Żebbuġ, shortly after one of his construction trucks had been put on fire. Sciré, who had recently undergone a surgical procedure, rushed to the site with his two sons, one of whom is only eight years old, to find a group of RIU officers investigating the scene.
He said that he tearfully asked the officers to help him move his other vehicles as they were also at risk of catching fire, but the officers responded by surrounding him, shoving him and mocking him.
“They laid their hands on my older child, punching him in the head in the presence of my younger eight-year-old son and in the presence of a woman who implored they stop.”
The Times of Malta reported today that the police are internally investigating the case and that the officers involved are denying beating up Sciré.
In an emotional Facebook post, Sciré urged Italians not to use his case to unjustly criticise the Maltese people or the Maltese police.
“I’ve read many comments in solidarity by fellow Italians on many groups and I thank you all. However, a few have criticised Malta and the Maltese and/or all the police, and I don’t agree with this because Malta is a beautiful island.”
“The Maltese have their own character, but they aren’t bad people. Like many others, I live here, work here and we’re very comfortable. As to the police, they aren’t all the same and there are some serious professional policemen who are educated and very fitting for their roles.”
“However, there are those who, wearing their uniforms, feel untouchable, and being in a group they feel empowered to abuse people. There are many people who have suffered violence at the hands of the police, not only Italians but also Maltese. No one has ever had the courage to report events such as what has happened to myself, also perhaps because no one managed to capture this on video.”
“These things are unacceptable. So I tell you, the Maltese people are NOT to blame, and in some cases they are victims like me. I did my duty as a citizen and father. I will report and fight till the end, and I stick my nose up to their threats. Those who have made mistakes will pay…”
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