Bring Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri to Justice - European Parliament Mission to Malta Report

"This damning report is very clear. Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri should be immediately removed from public office and should be swiftly investigated and brought to justice”, stated PN Head of Delegation MEP David Casa.

The European Parliament Mission Report (attached) has called for a change in method for appointment of the Commissioner of Police and the Attorney General. “We need an overhaul of the offices of the Police Commissioner and the Attorney General that have not prosecuted clear cases of corruption and money laundering despite the overwhelming evidence in their possession”, David Casa said.

The Report was published today by the MEPs that formed part of the delegation to Malta, led by Socialist Portuguese MEP Ana Gomes. The Report does not conclude the work of the delegation, as further meetings have been requested with Chief Justice Silvio Camilleri, among others.

The Report calls for investigations by the European Banking Authority and the European Central Bank into the circumstances under which Pilatus Bank continues to hold a license to provide services in the European Union.

"Pilatus Bank and Nexia BT continue to operate in Malta with impunity, despite the overwhelming evidence that they are complicit in corruption and money laundering. Their continued presence in Malta constitutes a significant threat to our financial services sector and our economy,” stated Casa.

The Report specifically asks the European Banking Authority to investigate whether the MFSA is carrying out its duties as a national supervisory authority in view of the fact that Pilatus Bank and Nexia BT are still licensed in Malta.

The Report also called for the European Commission to investigate SLAPP - the practice used by Henley and Partners and Pilatus Bank to silence Maltese journalists by threatening with legal proceedings in jurisdictions outside the EU.

"It is disgraceful that it has come to this. This institutional mess was created by design. It is intentional. The objective being the protection of people in power that were caught in criminal activity. Maltese people have a right to strong institutions that should protect them and not corrupt politicians and the dodgy firms that make the laundering of their ill-gotten gains possible. I will continue to work until this is the case”, stated David Casa.

The European Parliament will now debate this report at Committee level later on in January.