Yvonne Arqueros Ebejer AD Deputy Chairperson and spokesperson for Civil Rghts and Culture said ” Alternattiva Demokratika congratulates the editor of Realta, Mark Camilleri, and the writer Alex Vella Gera for their acquittal from obscenity charges. She added that this is another milestone towards artistic freedom of expression and towards a more democratic and secular Malta.

Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson, added: “Unfortunately there are other issues in Malta which are iminging on civil rights. The latest example is the OPM Directive which forces civil servants to take unpaid leave if contesting local elections. This effectively means that civil servants will be punished through deduction of wages for deciding to give voluntary services to their locality. Given the immediate deadlines for persons to apply as candidates, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi should immediately revise this directive”