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Deathbed video alleges police brutality
By MaltaMedia News
Apr 29, 2008 - 6:08:26 PM
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A video of Nicholas Azzopardi, who died in hospital after allegedly being beaten by policemen, was released on Tuesday afternoon. The video shows Mr Azzopardi recounting the series of events which allegedly sent him to hospital and which eventually led to his death some days later, on April 22.
 The video clip recorded by Nicholas Azzopardi's brother while recovered in Mater Dei hospital, shortly after regaining his senses, 13 days after he was admitted into hospital believed to be in danger of dying. Here he recounts how he was beaten up by his interrogators.
This release comes just a few hours after the Ministry of Justice announced the launching of an inquiry into the case. Judge Albert Manche` has been appointed to head the independent inquiry.
Mr Azzopardi’s father and his brother revealed the video to members of the press in a press conference on Tuesday afternoon. The press conference was held at the the offices of MediaToday, which broke the story last Sunday.
Reno Azzopardi, the victim’s father, said that on seeing his son’s body after he died he could see that it was badly bruised in many places including the back of the head, on his right side and buttocks which, he claimed, had not been there when Nicholas was admitted to hospital. The father claimed that despite the family’s appeal to protect Nicholas whilst in hospital, this was not provided.
In the video Azzopardi is heard saying:
MALTESE
Li gara it-tlieta filghaxija ircevejt telephone biex immur id-Depot il-Furjana. Waslet qabli m’ommha u t-tifla telghat ma PS24.
Dak il hin ma rajt lil hadd minnhom. It-tfal, ma rajt lil hadd minnhom ghax... mal-kunjata u mat-tifla, u inzilt isfel u qlajt xeba tal beati pawli...
ENGLISH
What happened was that I received a phone call on Tuesdat evening to go to the Depot in Floriana. She had arrived before me with her mother, and the girl was taken up with PS24.
At that point I saw none of them. The kids, I didn’t see any of them because… with my mother-in-law and the girl, and I went downstairs and I was beaten black and blue.
© Copyright 2008 by MaltaMedia.com
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May 7, 2008 - 11:23:39 PM CET
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