Two security officers have been suspended pending an investigation after a Times of Malta photographer was manhandled at Mater Dei Hospital car park this morning where he went to take a picture of a car which had caught fire.

The security officers tore his shirt and forcibly took his mobile phone, before eventually returning it.

Photographer Jason Borg said there were a number of people taking pictures of the car with their mobile phones when he arrived. But as soon as he produced his camera, the security personnel asked who he worked for.

When he told them Times of Malta, one of them grabbed the camera strap and tried to take the camera, while shouting that no pictures could be taken.

The photographer managed to hold on to his camera but when he started using his mobile phone, one of the security officers grabbed it, tearing the photographer’s shirt sleeve.

One of the security officers challenged the photographer to a fight.

Mr Borg moved away and the security guards followed. When he tried to borrow a phone to make a call, the guards told all concerned not to get involved. A friend who did lend Mr Borg his mobile phone was insulted by the security officers who then handed Mr Borg his own mobile phone. But footage of which he had recorded, was missing.

A police report has been filed.

Kenneth Demartino, chairman at G4S Security Services, said he received the initial report of the incident and said two officials were suspended prior to further investigations by the hospital and the company.

A decision by the company would be taken once the company had the complete report in hand, he said.

PL, PN, AD SOLIDARITY

All three political parties expressed solidarity with Mr Borg.

The Labour Party said there should be respect for such people who worked to convey the news to the people, and they should not be hindered.



The Nationalist Party said media personnel should be allowed to go about their duties and they should not be hindered, especially by people who were supposed to be there to ensure there was order.

Alternattiva Demokratika chairman Arnold Cassola said such acts of violence were totally unacceptable, even more so when the target was a journalist performing his duties in the name of transparency while the perpetrator was supposed to be a defender of the law.

"Violence, of any type, does not pay, anytime and anywhere," Prof. Cassola said.

The Institute of Maltese Journalists said it unreservedly condemned the attack.

"The Institute of Maltese Journalists can never accept any form of hindrance to journalists in the carrying out of their duties, even more so when this is accompanied by violence," the institute said.