Angelo Gafà was notably absent from court during Muscat’s arraignment.

The absence of Commissioner of Police Angelo Gafà at today’s arraignment of former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat drew sharp criticism, with Robert Aquilina asserting that Gafà neglected his duty on a pivotal day for justice in Malta’s history.

Muscat made history as the first Maltese prime minister to face criminal charges, being arraigned alongside 22 co-defendants in the long-running scandal over the fraudulent privatization of the nation’s public hospitals. Yet, Gafà's absence from the courtroom during these significant proceedings did not go unnoticed.

“Again, Anġlu Gafà abdicated his duty,” stated Robert Aquilina, former president of the civil society group Repubblika, which initiated the legal battle leading to the inquiry into the hospitals deal. “The Commissioner of Police did not appear in court this morning on such an important day for justice and our country.”

Aquilina contrasted this with the actions of former police commissioner John Rizzo, who was pivotal in the 2002 arraignment of Chief Justice Noel Arrigo and Judge Patrick Vella on bribery charges.

Outside the courthouse, Muscat was swarmed by fervent supporters, a display organized by his closest allies.

Muscat faces serious charges including money laundering, corruption, bribery, and heading a criminal organization related to the 2015 concession awarded to suspected fraudsters Vitals Global Healthcare, amid allegations of irregularities in the tendering process.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola condemned the “Government-fueled tribalism” on display and stressed the importance of justice operating without political pressure. She urged Maltese citizens to consider the gravity of the situation before voting on June 8th.

Mandy Mallia, sister of slain journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, noted that the crowd backing Muscat highlighted the “two Maltas” that her sister had long warned about.

Nationalist MEP David Casa paid tribute to Caruana Galizia, stating, “Today we start a crucial chapter in the fight for justice” following her efforts to expose the alleged corruption.