Police face involuntary homicide charges over man's death while under arrest

Two police officers are to be charged with involuntary homicide, two years after the death of a man while under arrest at police headquarters. 

Times of Malta has confirmed that Police Inspector Karl Vella Cassia and Constable Tracy Gatt will be charged over the death of Richmond Tong, a 35-year-old from Mtarfa, who died after suffering a seizure in his cell at police headquarters on June 24, 2020, at 3.40am.

He had been arrested a few hours earlier on suspicion of cocaine possession.

It is believed that he ingested the drugs and the police failed to offer him medical assistance.

Vella Cassia will separately be charged with giving false testimony during a magisterial inquiry into the death. 

The two officers will be taken to court on July 25 and will appear before Magistrate Doreen Clarke.

The charges come after mounting pressure from the Tong family who is demanding compensation, claiming the state caused his death.

In a judicial letter that was filed last year, the deceased’s mother and relatives called on the home affairs minister, the police commissioner and the state advocate to settle compensation.

The government has told Times of Malta that any claims for compensation...