Magistrate Kevan Azzopardi must be held accountable; both for a reckless judicial decision that endangered the life of a domestic violence victim, and for serious undeclared legal proceedings abroad that call into question his fitness to serve.
He Ignored a High-Risk Domestic Violence Warning
When Robert Aquilina, Notary of the Archdiocese of Malta, was reported by his wife for domestic violence including a physical assault, the Domestic Violence Unit conducted a risk assessment that concluded she was at high risk of further harm or death.
In such cases, the law is clear:
– Arrest the aggressor.
– Issue a restraining order.
– Prioritise the victim’s safety.
But Magistrate Kevan Azzopardi did none of this. He refused to issue an arrest warrant, issued no restraining order, and sent the accused back home to the very woman he was alleged to have abused.
This was not a misstep, it was a reckless disregard for a vulnerable woman’s life.Azzopardi acted in defiance of established domestic violence protocol, and he must answer for it.
Ongoing Criminal Proceedings Abroad — Hidden from Malta
But Azzopardi’s conduct on the bench is not the only issue raising alarm.
In a report published on 1 July 2024 by the reputable investigative news portal African Intelligence, titled “The Sensational Rise and Spectacular Fall of Pefaco Casino and Hotels”, it was revealed that Kevan Azzopardi was facing criminal action in the Ivory Coast in connection with his role as a liquidator for a company tied to the Pefaco group.
The details are serious:
A €750,000 personal liability claim was filed against him by two company directors.
Criminal proceedings were launched in West Africa.
He may be subject to an international arrest warrant.
Most damning of all:
He never disclosed this during his application to become a magistrate.
The Judicial Appointments Committee has confirmed it was not made aware of these foreign legal proceedings.
And as of now:
There is no public record indicating that the criminal proceedings against Magistrate Azzopardi in the Ivory Coast have been closed.
This raises urgent and unavoidable questions:
How was Azzopardi appointed without this information being vetted?
Why did he conceal these proceedings?
How can someone under potential international criminal exposure continue to sit in judgment over others?
This Is a Crisis of Public Trust
Magistrate Azzopardi’s decision to ignore a high-risk domestic violence report is scandalous on its own. But combined with the undisclosed foreign litigation, it signals something far worse: a total collapse in judicial accountability.
A judiciary that protects its own, even in the face of such dangerous decisions and hidden legal baggage, is a judiciary in crisis.
He Must Resign or Be Removed
We call for:
A full investigation into Magistrate Kevan Azzopardi’s conduct in the domestic violence case;
Immediate clarification from judicial authorities on the status of his legal situation abroad;
And a transparent review of his appointment process, including whether false declarations were made.
If these issues are confirmed, Kevan Azzopardi must be suspended and removed. Justice cannot afford shadows. And we will not allow silence to protect those who endanger lives from the bench.
4 Comments
Skos bhal-dan kien jonqosa il-gudigatura fdal-pajiz.
X’passi ittiehdu jew ser jittiehdu fil konfront ta Dan il bully minn naha tal kurja ? Is sur Isqof se jibqa halqu maghluq meta mpjegat tieghu allegatament mixli bi vjolenza ? Kif se ddur maghha din il kwistjoni l kurja?
Dan il magistrat mhux kompetenti u ghandu jkun il Prim imhalef li jtajru minnufih. Jekk ma jittiehdux il passi neccesarji ghandu jintervjeni l Ministru tal gustizzja. U hawn nistaqsi, li kieku kien cittadin komuni, kien nimxi no istess rigal il magistrat?
Where are the checks and balances in our judiciary?