Decision on Pilatus Bank Whistleblower's extradition imminent

Pilatus Bank is central to corruption and criminality linked to the Office of the Prime Minister - David Casa

Earlier today, the Head of Delegation of Partit Nazzjonalista in the European Parliament, MEP David Casa, testified in front of the Greek court in the extradition case of Pilatus Bank whistleblower Maria Efimova. As a source of Daphne Caruana Galizia, Maria Efimova revealed information about money laundering within Pilatus Bank involving Azerbaijani and Maltese PEPs.

In his testimony, MEP Casa presented evidence that ties Pilatus Bank to criminal wrongdoing in the Office of the Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. The court assessed the various reports from Malta’s anti-money laundering agency, the FIAU. David Casa also referred to the FIAU report in his possession, that details the involvement of Konrad Mizzi in criminal activity.

David Casa stated: “Konrad Mizzi continues to hold his post, despite the revelations in the Panama Papers. The FIAU report calling for police action was buried by the authorities in Malta. This is clear evidence of the political capture of the institutions. It is testament to the extent of measures that will be taken to protect the criminals in power. The very same people that the information in Maria Efimova’s possession incriminates”.

He referred to the recent arrest of Pilatus Bank’s Chairman Ali Sadr Hashemi Nejad in the United States, and the relationship between the Iranian and the top officials of the Maltese Government, including the Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and his Chief of Staff Keith Schembri.

"As a whistleblower, not only was Maria not protected but her identity was revealed by the government – this is a clear example of how her safety was endangered. The Maltese government then launched an aggressive, vicious campaign was launched to discredit and vilify her. The masterminds behind Daphne Caruana Galizia’s assassination are still at large. Maria was crucial to Daphne’s work and has been proved right time and time again. She will not be safe until Daphne’s killers are apprehended and brought to justice”, Casa said.

David Casa was asked to testify by Efimova’s legal team.

After the court session, David Casa said: “Maria has my support. Maria has the support of the European Parliament. We have a duty to protect whistleblowers. Maria has exposed wrongdoing at great personal risk. The sordid links of criminality between Pilatus Bank, Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri and their associates are clear. They are the ones that should be locked up”.

Watch David Casa's comments here.