Investigation launched after two TM officers filmed punching man lying on ground

• Transport Minister accused of ‘running away’ from PQs

An investigation has been launched following the publication of a video of two Transport Malta officers punching a man lying face down on the ground.

The alleged incident happened on Qormi Road in Marsa on 26 October, and the two officials who were allegedly involved have been suspended by Transport Malta.

News reports read that the motorist had been pulled over for drunk driving.

The video, posted by Lovin Malta, shows a Transport Malta official getting off his motorbike, heading over to the man who was face down on the ground and punching him in the head, while another officer joined in.

Another officer later turns up to restrain his colleague, pulling him away.

Someone can be heard shouting for the officers to stop beating the man lying on the ground.

The police are also investigating.

Tuesday evening’s Parliamentary plenary session later had to be briefly suspended in order for Speaker Anglu Farrugia to maintain order, after PN MPs accused Transport Minister Aaron Farrugia of “running away” from questions on the scandal.

This was revealed by Culture Minister Owen Bonnici in parliament, who was answering questions on behalf of Transport minister Aaron Farrugia.

Farrugia was not present at the plenary sitting, although PN MPs insisted that he had been there and that they had gotten into the lift with him.

During the delivery of the parliamentary questions, which were supposed to be answered by the Transport Minister himself, PN whip Robert Cutajar revealed that the minister was in parliament at that instant.

PN MP Ryan Callus also confirmed this after saying that he, together with PN MP Mario De Marco, was accompanied in the lift by Transport Minister Aaron Farrugia.

At this stage, Delia also started to ask Speaker Anglu Farrugia why the minister wasn’t inside to answer the questions himself.

Although the speaker was trying to get parliament in order, the opposition continued to shout and demand that the Transport Minister come in, after which the Speaker suspended the session to get the room in order.

After the session was restarted the PN’s whip Robert Cutajar sought a ruling asking that the police access the parliament’s cameras to confirm Aaron Farrugia's presence and to ascertain why he failed to do his duties as minister.