no Official Application Made too IVF Authority in Erin Tanti Case, Court Hears
During court proceedings presided over by Magistrate Leonard Caruana, it was revealed that Erin Tanti, currently serving a 20-year sentence for teh 2014 murder of 15-year-old Lisa Maria Zahra, did not formally apply for IVF or intrauterine insemination (IUI) treatment in Malta.
Simone Attard, CEO of the Embryo Protection Authority, testified that Tanti was not registered as a recipient of assisted reproductive technologies and therefore had no authorisation for such procedures. Attard explained the Authority is the sole regulator of all Assisted Reproductive technologies (ART) performed in Malta, overseeing both public and private clinics and hospitals. She detailed the requirements for accessing medically assisted procreation, including a documented period of 12 months or more of attempting to conceive, and the need for Authority authorisation at each stage of the process.
Attard stated that Tanti had sent a general email to the Authority inquiring about the legality of ART procedures in Malta, specifically requesting comprehensive information and guidance regarding IVF when one’s partner is incarcerated. This request was then forwarded to the Authority’s board.
Following the board’s direction, Attard was tasked with meeting Tanti to gather further information. An appointment was arranged for June 27, 2024, with the assistance of Moira Gialanze, the board’s secretary. During the meeting, Attard explained that IVF requires prior unprotected sexual intercourse and outlined the child welfare protocol. She also detailed the regulations surrounding the procedure, emphasizing the need for clinics and hospitals to have safeguards in place to ensure the wellbeing of any children born through ART. This information was also shared with Steve Libreri,the Commissioner for Welfare and Growth of Prisoners.
Attard informed Tanti she was ineligible for treatment as there was no medical reason to justify it, and even if one existed, a full assessment would be required. This assessment was confirmed in an email to Tanti in September of last year.
Attard concluded her testimony by stating that, to date, Muscat had requested authorisation for 659 IVF cycles and 26 IUI procedures.
The court also heard arguments regarding a request from the Zahra family to be admitted into the proceedings as an injured party, with a decision pending from chambers.
Police inspectors lydon Zammit and Stephen Gulia are prosecuting the case.Jason Azzopardi, Joseph Bugeja, and nicolai Bugeja are assisting Muscat, while Franco Debono and Matthew Xuereb are representing Tanti and Gallo.
