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Provoke
“Once he calmed down, the situation was de-escalated.” According to the RGP, there has been an increase in illegal activity in the waters over recent months. It has been suggested that the incursions are specifically designed from outside of the Rock to provoke unnecessary incidents that ‘might prevent a more positive political engagement developing between Spain and Gibraltar.’ The incident, which took place in the early hours of July 7 at Europa Point, was deemed ‘regretful’ by the government of Gibraltar.
Dracula
Vol. 3 Issue 75 www.gibraltarolivepress.com July 18th - July 31st 2018
Pepper On the hunt for spray battle GIBRALTAR Police have confirmed the use of pepper spray during an incident with a Spanish fishing vessel. The RGP officers were forced to take the measure, as the crew of the Spanish ship from La Linea got increasingly aggressive. It came after the Department of the Environment ordered the ship to stop fishing illegally in Gibraltar waters, a request that was ignored. “RGP confirms that incapacitant spray was used on one of the crewman in response to his aggressive behaviour.
July 18th - July 31st 2018
How the Rock’s most evil monkey stole five passports and €100 in cash, See back page
MURDER MYSTERY EXCLUSIVE By Bradley Stokes
MYSTERY surrounds the suspicious death of a popular artist in a broad daylight Gibraltar attack. Friends and family of Michael Montegriffo told the Olive Press of their ‘shock and sadness’ when they heard of his death on Prince Edward’s Road last week. They described the 58-yearold father-of-four as an ‘eloquent and friendly’ man, who ‘was a spiritual man, a real child of the Sixties’.
Enquiry
Police launched a murder enquiry on Friday, a full six days after his death, which was caused by head injuries outside Gavino’s Dwellings. While paramedics rushed to attend to him he died a few hours later at St Bernard’s Hospital. The murder enquiry was
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Friends pay tribute to ‘spirited freethinker’ father-of-four following death of Gib artist/ musician
launched after a pathologist report concluded that the injuries to his head were ‘not consistent with having fallen from a height or being struck by a passing vehicle.’ His father Maurice, 85, confirmed that police were working hard to uncover the reasons for his death. Speaking from the police station he told the Olive Press: “I don’t want to say anything else until the investigation is finished.” Friends however were quick to praise the former Christian Brothers Prep School pupil, who later became a well-renowned artist and musician. “He was a great guy - a man of style and quality and a real free thinker”, said a former classmate.
Another friend added: “We are all devastated, he had such a friendly, welcoming approach to people.” Montegriffo - who lived in England and predominantly France for a long time - had learnt to play the guitar at a young age and music played a big part in his life.
Busking
As well as composing music, he was occasionally seen busking on Gibraltar’s Main Street. “He did a lot of things to make a living, but he was
RIP: Montegriffo
a really kind, free spirited man and he would always take in someone who was homeless,” said a friend. Another source said he had returned from France a decade ago, having worked in a series of jobs, including a shepherd and as a grape picker. Police are still appealing for any witnesses who may have seen or been in contact with Montegriffo in the days leading towards his death. The murder is the second on the Rock in the past 12 months. If you know anything to help the Montegriffo investigation, contact Gibraltar police and email newsdesk@theolivepress.es.
Keeping a free flow
IT was an impromptu, last minute meeting. But, for Gibraltar, it will go down as a key moment with Spain’s new leader taking time to meet the UK Prime Minister in Brussels. According to sources, the ‘constructive’ meeting between Pedro Sanchez and Teresa May at the NATO summit involved the subject of Gibraltar. Concerns were raised by Sanchez about residents living on the Spanish-Gibraltar border, who work on the Rock.
He agreed that their livelihoods depend on a frictionless border following Britain leaving the European Union. “Negotiations have being taking place regarding Gibraltar,” May later told the House of Commons. “We have been clear that Gibraltar is covered in the negotiations. We are looking for a deal for the whole UK family.” Sanchez and the PSOE are committed to stabilising the area, after he visited the La Linea area last March.