Malta / Court of Magistrates as a Court of Criminal Judicature, Police v. Eric Cuschieri, Court of Magistrates as a Court of Criminal Judicature, Police v. Chris Pisani
Country
Malta
Title
Year
Decision/ruling/judgment date
Incident(s) concerned/related
Related Bias motivation
Groups affected
Court/Body type
Court/Body
Key facts of the case
In February 2015, a photo of an African man lying in a hospital bed at Mater Dei hospital was posted on the Facebook page entitled 'Daqshekk ghall-Immigrazzjoni Llegali f'Malta' ('No More Illegal Immigration to Malta').
Two men, Eric Cuschieri and Christopher Pisani, left disparaging comments on the post. Eric Cuschieri wrote the words 'burn him' while Pisani suggested that he would replace the man's saline drip with hydrochloric acid.
The men were brought before the Court after screenshots of their comments were handed over to the Police Cybercrime Unit. Both accused men pleaded guilty and were fined 3,000 EUR each.
Main reasoning/argumentation
Is the case related to the application of the Framework Decision on Racism and Xenophobia, the Racial Equality Directive?
Key issues (concepts, interpretations) clarified by the case
None, for the reasons explained earlier.
Results (sanctions, outcome) and key consequences or implications of the case
The men were arraigned in Court after a screenshot of the comments was handed over to the Police Cybercrime Unit. Both of the accused pleaded guilty and were fined 3,000 EUR.