Updated on 6 September 7.50am with police statement
Liam Vidal, the 44-year-old victim of a mysterious car fire in Valletta last Saturday, was himself accused of complicity in an arson attack on a Luqa residence in 2019.
Vidal was found seriously injured next to his burning car in Marsamxett, Valletta.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident happened at around 9am after an explosion was heard in various parts of the capital city.
Following the explosion, Vidal was seen coming out of his car with his clothes burning and falling to the ground with serious injuries.
The police were immediately called to the scene of the incident as Vidal was taken to hospital, where he is still in critical condition.
Sources close to the investigation told The Shift that in May 2021, Vidal, a taxi driver at the time, was arraigned in court and charged with complicity in an arson attack on a private Luqa residence.
The alleged arson attack was carried out in the early hours of 19 December 2019, when the door of the Luqa residence belonging to Emanuel Ellul was set on fire.
Vidal pleaded not guilty to the charges presented, and the case is still ongoing.
Vidal was not the main person charged with the arson attack.
Months earlier, a 44-year-old from Gzira, Alan Brown, was accused of the crime. It was only weeks later that the police discovered Brown’s alleged accomplice in this crime and charged Vidal.
Police sources told The Shift that last Saturday’s car fire incident is being treated as a ‘special case’ as the cause of the fire preceded by an explosion may have been driven by motives yet to be investigated.
Updated: Liam Vidal died from his injuries a few days later, according to a statement by the Malta police on 6 September.
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When persons take the law into their own hands, it simply means that the guardians of the law , The AG and the Police have drastically and continuosly failed in doing their job. Victims cannot wait years to see justice done. There must be timelines , not to free the criminals , but to do justice.
Exactly so!
Organised crime is a symptom of a very serious malady of our Country. It shows that we have lost our morality, principles and Love of Malta.
Unfortunately this is mostly due to the people have completely lost their respect for our institutions. Corruption at government level, unfortunately leads the way. A simple question, that one who has lost his love and respect for his/her Country asks him/herself why should I observe the rule of law when those responsible for not and get away with it?
Also, it also boils down to social problems that many face. Greed and money, do not make the world go round.
Many who can afford it are seriously thinking of leaving Malta, the younger generation have set their eyes in that direction to.
It is time, for government, opposition and all those who are people of goodwill to unite and seriously tackle this phenomenon, NOW before it is too late.
Together we can stand, divided we fall.
It’s the main reason of what we are living in a country without rule of law. Free willy so that these corrupt politicians will have power with the aid of guilibles
Unfortunately this Government is missing in action, lost control, and we are experiencing a phenomena where power has dwindled away from the hands of this incompetent lot and is now in the hands of corrupt individuals who is putting Labour at ransom. This is a serious threat to our democracy but many are not realising.