Moviment Graffitti called upon the Attorney General to take the necessary steps to expedite the resolution of the El Hiblu case.
In an action on Monday, in which posters saying ‘Justice delayed, Justice denied,’ on the Attorney General’s offices in Valletta, activists reiterated their calls to drop the charges against three young man accused of terrorism.
“Moviment Graffitti believes that justice delayed is indeed justice denied, and it is time to right this wrong. We call again on the Attorney General to end the uncertainty that these three young men face. It is high time to drop the charges. Free the El Hiblu 3!”
Three youths – Abdalla, Amara and Kader – stand accused of multiple serious crimes – including acts of terrorism, threatening the crew, and the hijack of a ship – when the tanker El Hiblu 1 came to Malta with over 100 rescued people in March 2019.
Campaigners and witnesses say the three, also known as the El Hiblu 3 – were acting as translators and mediators between the ship’s crew and the rescued people.
The three young men were imprisoned for almost eight months before being released on bail in November 2019. At the time, two of them were still minors: Amara was 15 years old and Kader was 16. Abdalla, was then 19 years old, and has since become a father. They currently study and work in Malta.
Since being released on bail, they have lived with the possibility of being remanded in custody again. The prosecutors have no more evidence to present and had rested their case in autumn 2022, and the Attorney General must decide whether to dismiss or charge the youths.
In a statement, activists said that in recent months and years, concerned citizens and advocates for justice have grown increasingly frustrated by the apparent disregard shown by the Attorney General’s office towards letters and statements from the public urging the swift resolution of the El Hiblu case.
“This ongoing delay in the pursuit of justice not only undermines the principles upon which our legal system is built but also perpetuates a grave injustice for the young individuals involved.”
They explained that Amara, Kader, and Abdalla arrived in Malta more than four years ago and acting as mediators and translators on the El Hiblu, they helped to prevent the unlawful pushback of over 100 people to Libya and to diffuse a tense situation at sea.
“They were only 15, 16, and 19 years old, respectively. Rather than celebrate their bravery, the Maltese authorities charged them with several crimes that could lead to life sentences. This case has garnered international attention. This is a testament to the shared belief that Abdalla, Amara, and Kader have not committed any crimes!”
They added that the Attorney General’s office has turned a deaf ear to these pleas for action despite numerous letters and petitions from concerned citizens, organisations, and experts in the field, there has been no response.
“This lack of communication and transparency is deeply troubling and raises serious questions about the commitment of the Attorney General’s office to the principles of justice and due process.”
The activists added that he prolonged delay in addressing the El Hiblu case “not only deepens their suffering but also erodes public trust in the justice system.
“It sends a message that some individuals are exempt from the swift and fair treatment that our legal system should provide to all. Any case, whether it involves Maltese or foreign nationals, needs to be just and fair, rather than utilized as a form of retribution, political signalling and deterrence. This case exposes the institutionalised racism that plauges our criminal justice system, which is strong with the weak and weak with the strong.”
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