Duncan Barry

A 36-year-old Dutch woman – Jennifer Koster - has filed an application in the First Hall Civil Court in its constitutional jurisdiction against the police chief and the Attorney General claiming inhuman and degrading treatment.

She claimed that she was ordered by police to inspect her own excrement after they had suspicions she was carrying drugs.

Ms Koster is claiming that her human rights were breached.

The Dutch woman born in the Dominican Republic is a regular visitor to Malta. It is understood no drugs were found by police in her possession.

The police chief reportedly defended the actions of the police involved in the search.

The police commissioner stressed the police did not act in an abusive manner. “I assure you that nothing, absolutely nothing, was done beyond what is permitted by law. If anyone stresses the need for that, it’s me,” Mr Cassar said, adding the police had a warrant.

The commissioner confirmed it was female officers who accompanied her at all times, “and there are very good reasons why that was necessary”.

The reason is understood to have been tied to her regular visits to Malta.

‘Police did not identify themselves the first time around’

In her application to the courts, she said that she came to Malta to visit her partner on 18 November. When she left the Malta airport and was driving towards Mriehel, along with her partner, three unmarked police cars surrounded her vehicle, bringing her vehicle to a halt. She said the police did not identify themselves. On seeing this, she drove off only to be stopped once again but this time the police identified themselves. She said she drove off because the unidentified persons were aggressive.

She was arrested and then taken to Mater Die Hospital without being informed of her rights. An intensive search was conducted, including a search in her private parts. She was then given a laxative. The police than ordered her to inspect her own excrement. She was then released from custody some 16 hours later.

Lawyer Franco Debono is defending Ms Koster.