7️⃣ First prosecutions in Malta post-PanamaPapers?
*NINE* years later.
Feb 2025: Mizzi, Schembri, Tonna, Cini & associates Yorgen Fenech, Paul Apap Bologna, Mario Pullicino & companies & offshore vehicles charged w/ corruption & money laundering ice Electrogas.
All plead not guilty. Cases ongoing.
6️⃣ Malta's Attorney General #PeterGrech warned the police that seizing computer servers from Mossack Fonseca agent Nexia BT would be “highly intrusive”, & he advised the Accountancy Board to not act against the firm.
⚠️The result?
No sanctions.
No police action.
No prosecutions.
No convictions. ⚖️
5️⃣ 🇲🇹 Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar didn't act on Daphne's revelations, before or after #PanamaPapers
Konrad Mizzi was minister.
Keith Schembri was chief of staff to the PM.
Both owned secret, offshore, asset-concealing structures.
🚨 Cutajar said there was no reasonable suspicion of crime.
4️⃣ Malta's PM Joseph Muscat told the public inquiry into #DaphneCaruanaGalizia’s assassination that he didn't fire his minister #KonradMizzi , and his Chief of Staff #KeithSchembri - even after the #PanamaPapers - because they were ‘doers’.
3️⃣ Konrad Mizzi’s and Keith Schembri’s asset-concealing structures were set up by #BrianTonna and #KarlCini of Nexia BT, Malta agents for the notorious #Panama law firm, #MossackFonseca. 📂
#DaphneCaruanaGalizia exposed Mizzi & Schembri. Malta's PM Joseph Muscat defended them.
2️⃣ Malta's Minister #KonradMizzi & PM #JosephMuscat’s Chief of Staff #KeithSchembri held secret #Panama companies & New Zealand trusts. They hid their company ownership behind nominee directors & thought they wouldn't be discovered.
1️⃣ 10 years after @icij.org's #PanamaPapers, 🇲🇹 still has unfinished business: no convictions for high-level #corruption.
11.5M leaked files exposed a global system of secret companies and hidden wealth, & a #corruption & #moneylaundering scheme implicating top officials in #Malta.🔍
3️⃣ Malta’s system is already weak:
• ministers' asset declarations are not public
• spouses' assets aren't disclosed.
⚠️Scrapping ministerial asset declarations =
🔺less transparency
🔺less accountability
🔺more scope for corruption.
#Malta #anticorruption #transparency #EU
2️⃣ We’ve seen the risks before.
Malta's Konrad Mizzi was the only sitting EU minister named in the #PanamaPapers. Then PM Joseph Muscat defended his minister saying he'd already seen Mizzi's asset declaration.
⚠️ Malta govt's new rules = no declaration + no scrutiny.
1️⃣ 10 yrs after #PanamaPapers, Malta’s govt plans to scrap ministers’ asset declarations.
🚨 Ministers would no longer have to disclose:
• assets
• financial interests
• offshore companies or trusts.
⚠️ Corrupt ministers could hide their profits from conflicts of interest and criminality.
Key reforms Malta needs 👇
• Transparent e-procurement for all contracts
• The right to challenge direct orders
• Limits on repeat contracts to one supplier
• Enforced rules on lobbying & political finance
• An independent Commissioner for Public Procurement
📄: www.daphne.foundation/documents/su...
🚨 Public procurement is one of the highest-risk areas for corruption.
We analysed Malta’s procurement legislation and shared our findings with Transparency Int. to feed into the EU’s review of public procurement rules 🇪🇺
What’s decided now will apply to all Member States, including Malta.
*NEW* Bomb suppliers Jamie Vella and Robert Agius (ta’ Maksar) have lost their attempt to overturn their convictions and life sentences for #DaphneCaruanaGalizia assassination. The court has rejected their appeal.
4 🕯️ Every month, Occupy Justice Malta & Repubblika hold a vigil for truth and justice at the protest memorial in Valletta, and commemorative events around the anniversary of Daphne’s assassination. We are deeply grateful for their persistence and commitment and we’ll be here until justice is served.
③ ⚖️ We attended the 6-week jury trial of Jamie Vella and Robert (ta’ Maksar) Agius. Both are now serving life sentences for supplying the bomb used to murder Daphne.
So far
• 5 men are serving sentences
• 1 is a state witness
• 1 is awaiting trial for murder.
② 🏛️ Criminal proceedings
We attended 70 criminal hearings related to corruption, bribery, and money-laundering cases tied to Daphne’s investigations, a physical reminder that corruption is not a victimless crime. #TruthandJustice
🧵 ① Our core mission remains full justice for Daphne Caruana Galizia, both for her assassination and for her investigations. In 2025, there was some progress but full justice remains elusive. #DaphneCaruanaGalizia
Together with 160+ other organisations, we're calling on governments to commit to integrity in funding political parties and candidates.
Read the letter to #CoSP11 participants
➡️ files.transparencycdn.org/images/Commi...
United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) www.unodc.org/documents/br...
#AntiCorruptionDay Corruption erodes institutions, damages democracy, distorts markets, endangers lives, & encourages organised crime. Malta signed & ratified #UNCAC. Action on transparency, accountability, & reforms is urgent. Corruption kills. Change can’t wait.
Image: Pippa Zammit Cutajar
BLUE SKY
🏆 #EPPYAwards w/ @OCCRP.org Time of Malta & @BostonGlobe.com
3rd in
• Best Collaborative Investigative / Enterprise Reporting
• Best Investigative / Enterprise Video
🔗 Read The Steward Files www.occrp.org/en/project/t...
#InvestigativeJournalism #EPPYAwards #Collaboration #PublicInterest
⚡3️⃣ Corruption mustn't be untouchable anymore.
Real reform means an independent, accountable media system that protects journalists and the public’s right to know. We’re ready to work with the Maltese Government to make it happen. ✨
#Malta #MediaFreedom #FreeExpression #journalism
🛑 2️⃣ Another journalist shouldn’t have to die for the truth.
The Public Inquiry into Daphne’s assassination makes one thing clear: public interest journalism needs protection, not just words. Malta must act now. ✋
#DaphneCaruanaGalizia #PressFreedom
🚨 Malta, it’s time for real media reform.
We’ve submitted our response to the public consultation, part of our fight for justice for Daphne Caruana Galizia and strong media freedom.
Read our full response 🔗
www.daphne.foundation/documents/su...
Today is International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists.
We’ll get there, Daphne.
#DaphneCaruanaGalizia #EndImpunity
#Malta Even when the accused pleads guilty, formal conviction and sentencing can be delayed - 3 years, on average.
Full report:
➡️ daphne.foundation/documents/re...
#JusticeDelayed #HumanRights #JusticeAtRisk
#Malta Even when the accused pleads guilty, formal conviction and sentencing can be delayed - 3 years, on average.
Full report:
➡️ daphne.foundation/documents/re...
#JusticeDelayed #HumanRights #JusticeAtRisk
#Malta Even when the accused pleads guilty, formal conviction and sentencing can be delayed - 3 years, on average.
Full report:
➡️ www.daphne.foundation/documents/re...
#JusticeDelayed #HumanRights #JusticeAtRisk
#Malta Delayed trials leave wilful homicide victims' families in limbo.
Read more ➡️daphne.foundation/documents/reports/justic...
#JusticeAtRisk #Malta #JusticeDelayed #HumanRights