Cabinet Secretary files libel case against Jason Azzopardi over alleged ID card racket scandal

Cabinet Secretary Ryan Spagnol has filed a libel case against lawyer Jason Azzopardi, following allegations the latter made tied to an alleged identity card scandal.Azzopardi, on social media, mentioned Spagnol and said, for instance, "that it seems

By: independent.com.mt

Jul 05 2024
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Cabinet Secretary files libel

Cabinet Secretary Ryan Spagnol has filed a libel case against lawyer Jason Azzopardi, following allegations the latter made tied to an alleged identity card scandal.

Azzopardi, on social media, mentioned Spagnol and said, for instance, "that it seems you weren't surprised to find out what I uncovered, meaning that 10 days ago an Egyptian mentioned your name in the contest of a racket of thousands of illegal ID cards issued on the basis of falsified documents."

Azzopardi had, in a different post prior to mentioning Spagnol's name, labelled the scandal an 'Identity Malta racket of more than 16,700 illegal ID cards.'

In a statement published by the Department of Information, the Cabinet Secretary made reference to the "false and slanderous allegations against him on social media."

The Cabinet Secretary denied any form of allegation or insinuation against him, and asked his lawyer, Chris Cilia, to start court proceedings "to clear his name."

The court was requested to hear and decide the case with urgency.