The Federation for Hunting & Conservation – Malta (FKNK), has in a statement today called on the Police Commissioner to “immediately take the necessary disciplinary action against the Police Officers who joined the German based CABS members while they flew a drone that was not covered by permits.”

FKNK said that “the German-based anti-hunting organisation CABS’ board member and leader, David Conlin, admitted in a statement to the local media, to flying a drone without permits even whilst accompanied by local police officers, with the aim to spy over Maltese citizens’ privacy.”

FKNK continued by saying that David Conlin also said, “We have entrusted a Maltese lawyer’s office with the task of obtaining all the necessary permits and permissions,” promising that CABS would deploy the ‘eye in the sky’ yet again on future activities.” The statement goes on to say “Conlin said that police were present during the plane-flying.”

“By default this proves that this year’s operations were illegal and the police officers may be seen to be accomplices,” FKNK said,

“The fact that the spy-aircraft was flown without the necessary permits has already been confirmed in Parliament by the Maltese Prime Minister himself and so cannot be refuted.

“Therefore, the FKNK calls upon the Commissioner of Police to immediately take the necessary disciplinary action at law against the Police officers who were accompanying the officials and representatives of the German organisation, and not to delay any further from taking all appropriate action against the officials and representatives of CABS in line with the criminal report, “Kwerela,” made to the Police Corps by the same FKNK,” the Federation said.

“CABS also reprimanded FKNK’s General Secretary for naming CABS permanent local resident, Gozitan David Camilleri. FKNK’s General Secretary, both in his personal capacity and on behalf of the FKNK, is at present proceeding with legal measures against David Camilleri, besides other, for trespassing. Comments by Conlin referring to “xenophobic” and “secretive” scenarios are factually rebutted by the unequalled achievements of the FKNK in drastically reducing illegal activities in the field whilst hitting illegalities where it hurts and not targeting the general public in the process.

“Illegal acts cannot be curtailed by other illegal acts as CABS seem intent on pursuing,” FKNK said.

Further delays for justice to be done only shed doubts as to whether Maltese hunters and trappers enjoy the same privileges expected and enjoyed by each and every European citizen. Thus, and because the FKNK still believes in a democratic system of justice that is equal for all, it awaits the Commissioner of Police to take the necessary actions without further impediments.

“Finally the FKNK calls on the same Commissioner of Police to reply to its e-mail of the 09/05/2012 and set up a meeting to discuss the various urgent issues mentioned therein.”

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