Malta’s endemic problem with judicial delays was back under the microscope today, as 25-year-old Jean Dalli, son of the European Commissioner Helena Dalli, was handed a 3 month prison sentence and fined €650 for a crime he committed 8 years ago.
Dalli was caught red-handed handing over six ecstasy pills to another man outside a party venue in 2013 and was found guilty of drug trafficking as he was unable to prove that the drugs were for personal use.
The sentencing elicited strong reactions from the Maltese public, reigniting the discussion surrounding unfairness caused by judicial delays.
Nationalist MEP Roberta Metsola and Labour MP Rosianne Cutajar were among those who stepped forward to criticise the system.
"Justice delayed is justice denied," Metsola said. “12 years ago, a 16-year-old child was arrested on a criminal charge. He is still waiting for his judgment.” she added, making clear reference to the troubling case of Mason Nehls.
“The system which has been hindering so many for so long needs to change sooner rather than later” Rosianne Cutajar said in a post on Facebook.
The European Court of Human Rights has lambasted the Maltese courts on several occasions for its inability to carry out expeditious court proceedings, going as far as to say that this constitutes a violation of basic human rights.
Do you think 8 years is too long a wait to be sentenced ?