PN in new attempt to coax European Commission into action over Panama Papers
PN MEP David Casa has tried to coax the European Commission into taking action over the Panama Papers, and the subsequent situation in Malta, by sending a letter to First Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans about the political situation on the island.
OPM Chief of Staff Keith Schembri and Minister Konrad Mizzi were both, last legislature, found to have acquired companies in the secretive jurisdiction of Panama.
This led to a string of many events, including the leaks of several FIAU reports, other offshoot scandals which resulted in magisterial inquiries, and the topic becoming one of the main focal points of the general election.
Casa, in his letter, said: “On the July 4 during an exchange of views at the EPP group meeting, your attention was drawn to the situation in Malta concerning the rule of law.
Following the revelations in the Panama Papers and leaked FIAU reports it has become clear that the Prime Minister, his chief of staff Keith Schembri and Minister Konrad Mizzi implemented a complex scheme of corruption and money laundering immediately after taking office in 2013.”
He said that despite FIAU reports requesting the police to act, no action has been taken so far. “An FIAU employee, that was recently dismissed, claimed that he was removed from Malta’s AntiMoney Laundering Agency for ‘digging too deep’ and that FIAU reports were not so much as registered by the police as is normal practice in such cases. A number of magisterial criminal investigations are ongoing. This is not the normal process. The Opposition had to resort to going before magistrates because the police and the attorney general ignored the recommendations of the FIAU.”
Casa noted that Schembri remained Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s Chief of Staff following the election, and, “has requested the same police to investigate leader of the opposition Simon Busuttil for presenting ‘false evidence.’
“This, when the evidence in question results from the Panama Papers and FIAU reports and is public knowledge. This is clearly an abuse of power and an act intended to intimidate those who speak out against corruption.”
Casa said that the allegations being made (about Busuttil) are completely unfounded.
“This state of affairs is unprecedented in Malta and is the first time that the Leader of the Opposition is being arraigned.”
In his letter, Casa said that on 4 July, Timmermans was, “not aware of the facts of this case. While I hope that you might already be more knowledgeable now, I ask that you revisit the issue especially in view of the latest developments and that the European Commission takes action to protect the rule of law and democracy in Malta.”