Maltese Man Fined €5,000 for Harassing Politician Miriam Dalli on Facebook

Lee Borg, a 32-year-old man from Żurrieq, Malta, has been fined €5,000 after admitting to harassing Minister Miriam Dalli and the misuse of electronic communications equipment. The harassment occurred on September 9, 2022 and in the days and weeks prior.

Minister Dalli filed a police report on September 23, 2022, stating that she had been receiving derogatory comments from three fake Facebook profiles, including one belonging to Lee Borg. The comments, which Dalli suspected were all written by the same person, used similar adjectives like "ħadra" (green) and "dictator" and accused her of bullying and starving workers to death.

Following a police interrogation in January 2023, Borg was informed that he would be charged. During his arraignment on Monday, Borg pleaded guilty to the charges of harassment and misuse of electronic telecommunications equipment.

Magistrate Monica Vella imposed the €5,000 fine on Borg and issued a 12-month protection order in favor of Minister Dalli.

Why this matters: This case emphasizes the growing issue of online harassment and abuse directed at public figures, particularly women in politics. It highlights the need for robust legal measures and enforcement to protect individuals from targeted harassment and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.

In her police report, Minister Dalli described the comments as "derogatory" and stated that she suspected they were all written by the same person due to the use of similar language and accusations. The court's decision to fine Borg and issue a protection order sends a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated and that there are consequences for those who engage in online harassment.

Key Takeaways

• Man fined €5,000 for harassing Minister Miriam Dalli online
• Harassment occurred via 3 fake Facebook profiles, including Borg's
• Borg pleaded guilty to harassment and misuse of communications
• Magistrate imposed €5,000 fine and 12-month protection order
• Case highlights need for legal measures against online harassment