Silence in Gozo After Priest’s Role in Alleged Rape Cover-Up

A controversy surrounds a Gozo priest who brokered a payment to the family of an alleged rape victim, leading to accusations of covering up the crime. The priest, Michael Said, reportedly gave €7,000 to the victim’s family, with payments later reaching up to €120,000, in exchange for their silence. The alleged rape occurred in 2008, and the accused brothers, Josef Said and Peter Paul Said, were acquitted in court. The case has sparked outrage, with many questioning the Church’s involvement and the influence of politics in the matter, as one of the accused brothers is related to a prominent politician.