Repubblika expresses its regret for the cruel remarks of Prime Minister Robert Abela who added to the real threat to Jason Azzopardi.
Jason Azzopardi was given by the police very basic security measures because in the opinion of the police there is a real threat to his life and security. This threat to Jason Azzopardi exists because of the work he does against corruption.
After the spokesperson of the Labor Party Emmanuel Cuschieri, the Prime Minister Robert Abela mocked the risk to the security of Jason Azzopardi and, worse than that, suggested that Jason Azzopardi was given some privilege, some gift that is worth envying him for and which he took as an undeserved reward because the police were afraid of his criticism.
In a democracy the government has the duty to protect those who criticize it. The government is doing the opposite, it is increasing the intimidation and fuelling the hatred of the people against civil society activists who fight corruption. This is the atmosphere that a public inquiry described and documented when it found the government responsible for the death of Daphne Caruana Galizia.
Repubblika expresses full solidarity with Jason Azzopardi.