Police Commissioner does not deny knowledge of FIAU reports
Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar would not deny that he has seen the damning FIAU reports on Pilatus Bank, the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Keith Schembri, and Nexia BT owner Brian Tonna, when pressed on the subject by The Malta Independent.
One FIAU report found that Pilatus Bank had transferred up to €1 million into PEP’s account and had failed to employ standard banking transaction practices.
Another FIAU report told the police that there was “reasonable suspicion” that Mr Schembri and Mr Tonna were involved in money laundering or the proceeds of crime related to kickbacks from the sale of Maltese passports.
Approached during an activity held at the police academy, Mr Cutajar maintained that he is not able to divulge any information on Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit report.
“I thought we were here for something different, that maybe you would ask me about the good work the police corps has done in the last year. However, as you know, I cannot give comments on the report; I am precluded by law from doing so.”
When asked point blank whether he had seen the report or not, Mr Cutajar repeated the claim. “I will repeat the same answer, I cannot give any comment.”
The Police Commissioner was also asked whether the circumstances merited his resignation.
“As long as the government has faith in the work I am doing with the police force I will continue to serve.”
On Monday, Attorney General Peter Grech, who is the FIAU chairman, told The Malta Independent that he was also aware of the report but did not know what the contents were.
Abela stands by Commissioner
This newspaper also spoke to Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela, who said he is not privy to any FIAU reports and is thusly unable to comment on such matters. When asked whether or not he found it strange that it was media houses who provided the reports to the magisterial inquiry rather than the FIAU Chairman, the MFSA Chairman, and the Police Commissioner, the minister reiterated that it would be illegal to be in possession of such documents.
“There is a law which prohibits any FIAU report from becoming public without the FIAU’s consent. This was a law put into place by the previous administration and we have followed it. We are a government that respects the institutions. Someone who believes they are above the law, and would break the law for political points is a dangerous person. This is not democratic, this is dictatorial.”
Responding to the lack of faith in the Police Commissioner and the Police Force, as indicated in numerous surveys by independent media houses, the Minister said that it was down the Opposition’s constant attacks of the police force.
“The opposition has been attacking the police force, which is made up of 2,200 people, for four years. When people do not know about all the good work the police does there will be a reaction.”
He insisted that the police investigate when there is evidence, not allegations.
It was put forward to the minister once again that the Police already had in their possession damning FIAU reports.
“The police did their own analysis, based on what was written in the FIAU report. The police has a freehand to take an action based on facts and not unfounded allegations.”
The minister was also asked if he had faith in the justice system, and whether he agreed that the Police Commissioner’s actions, particularly the evening of the infamous fenkata (which occurred while Pilatus Bank employees emerged from the premises with two large bags), had place doubt into the credibility of the magisterial inquiry.
He said that the government always respected the institution and “even if there were decisions against our party or our government, the decisions were respected. That is democracy.”
Meanwhile, the FIAU yesterday reiterated that it is bound by the strictest form of secrecy and confidentiality.