SHOUT spokesman Mark Sultana, accompanied by Saviour Balzan and Moira Delia held a press conference in Sliema today.

Sultana reacted to the threats made against Sandro Mangion, the editor-in-chief of daily newspaper L-Orizzont and Sunday newspaper it-Torca, after declaring that he will vote against spring hunting in an upcoming referendum.

He said that this was “typical of what many individuals who take a stand are experiencing. This is the kind of culture we have been facing for years from hunters,” Mark Sultana said.

In a Facebook post, Mangion published an extract of the threatening message: “If the referendum on the hobby that my family members and I hold dearest goes through, then YOU [sic] will be the first person that we…” the message read.

The threat came a few days after Mangion announced that he will vote against spring hunting in the April 11 referendum.

“Buildings have swallowed up a third of our country and most of the countryside is private land,” Mangion wrote. “It is therefore unjust for the little bit of countryside that is accessible to the public to be enjoyed solely by hunters during the most beautiful days of the year.”

“Moreover,” he said, “abolishing spring hunting will not deny hunters the right to enjoy the countryside. They will still be able to visit it with their family members and friends, only without guns in their hands.”

Sultana was talking in St Anne’s Square in Sliema, “we are here in Sliema because we want Sliema residents to know that they should vote no. Sliema is one of the localities that will not be holding a local council election. It is imperative that they go out to vote. Residents have been given this democratic right and they should use it.”

Addressing the press Sultana took a specimen ballot sheet and explained how the vote ‘No’ should be applied.

“By voting no we will put an end to spring hunting in Malta and make this country a better place.”

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