Time to introduce electronic monitoring for people on bail, judge argues

A judge has argued that the time has come for those out on bail to be electronically monitored.

Judge Consuelo Scerri Herrera was issuing a decree on a request for bail made by lawyers acting on behalf of Mustafa Abu Seadah, who stands accused of raping a Maltese woman whom he had lured to his house.

The judge observed that the only effective bail conditions the court could impose on the man were curfews, personal guarantees and deposits, and signing the bail book: “The time has come for the introduction in Malta of that which has been used for many years in other countries around the world; what is known as electronic monitoring.”

She pointed out that as far back as 2012, lawyer Franco Debono – a Member of Parliament at the time – had already flagged the issue and suggested electronic tagging of suspects. Debono had highlighted the fact that people were in detention when they could have been enjoying their freedom while the state kept tabs on their whereabouts, thereby ensuring a balance between the interests of the accused and those of the public.

Were this system in place in Malta, the court said, the state would be in a better position to monitor those granted bail.

This mechanism had two aims, it added: protecting society and providing for less onerous bail conditions.

In the absence of this facility, Scerri Herrera ruled, the court had to apply other measures. She granted Abu Seadah bail on condition that he lives at a designated address, signs the bail book three times a week and does not approach any prosecution witnesses or leave the islands. He was required to leave a deposit of €2,000 and provide a personal guarantee of €5,000.