Yorgen Fenech’s lawyers demand to see Keith Schembri’s lost mobile data

Aug 23 2021

Yorgen Fenech’s lawyers are demanding to see essential evidence gained by the police from Keith Schembri’s mobile phone as this evidence can support the businessman’s claims. This is the focus of an application filed by Fenech in constitutional proceedings seeking to have lead investigator superintendent Keith Arnaud kicked off the probe into the assassination of late journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Lawyers are now claiming that a full extraction of data from the former chief of staff’s mobile phone is in the hands of the police. Times of Malta had revealed that Schembri’s phone went offline shortly before getting arrested in December 2019. Investigators subsequently testified that he claimed to have lost his phone.

Being arrested twice again, once in 2020 and again in 2021, prosecutors have charged him with money laundering, criminal conspiracy, fraud and forgery. Fenech’s lawyers said that seized data was lost forever and was essential to prove their client’s claims.

With the constitutional case before Mr Justice Lawrence Mintoff seemingly coming to its end with judgement due in November, the application filed earlier this month states that police had taken possession for the full extractions from Schembri’s phone.

Fenech argued that it would be ‘manifestly wrong’ that ‘when, in future, the truth emerges, it is seen that there was evidence which could have been brought before the court but was left out because of procedural obstacles.’

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Photo Source: DW, ICIJ

Warnings from employers as government hires workers ahead of election

Aug 23 2021

The employers’ lobby warns that the government’s habit of hiring private sector workers before an election has entered its full swing. The Malta Employers Association stated that it was essential to reverse the talent drain from the private sector prior to an election. The statement was made in the association’s proposals for Budget 2021 published on Monday.

It pointed out how there are productive jobs available in public transport, tourism, construction, care work, enforcement and many other areas which ‘could be taken up by people who are currently underemployed and with a relatively low standard of education if they undergo some training.’

With public sector employment increasing by around 500 jobs during the three-month electoral campaign in 2017, the government has yet to announce the date for the next general election which has to occur next year.

The association (MEA) has proposed introducing a moratorium on public sector jobs in the six months leading to a general election. The MEA has argued that automated systems should free up workers from their existing tasks in order to reduce labour supply shortages.

The MEA also stated that the governmental forecasts for the first six months of this year had been overly optimistic as COVID-19 is still very present. The FATF grey-listing also contributed. The association described the government’s push to encourage language tourism as a strategic error which derailed the country’s pandemic recovery efforts.

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Photo Source: Bernard Grech FB, Robert Abela FB

Over €190,000 in undeclared cash confiscated by Customs at Airport

Aug 23 2021

Customs Malta managed to confiscate up to €190,000 in undeclared cash at the Malta International Airport. A Somali man was found carrying €10,548 in his hand luggage and an additional €155,000 in his checked-in luggage. Meanwhile, a Moroccan and Egyptian were also found to be carrying undeclared cash.

The joint effort by the Customs AMLT Section and the Customs K9 Unit continued to push against undeclared cash movement through Maltese borders. With routine inspections, the officials managed to intercept the equivalent of €165,548 in undeclared cash following an indication by K9 Sophie.

The Somali traveler was making his way to Turkey before being escorted to the departures office for further inspections. The traveller stated he was carrying 1,600 dollars but further investigation led to the discovery of over €10,000. A further €155,000 in the checked-in luggage were found after being offloaded from the flight. The total amounted to €165,548.

During the weekend of Santa Marija, canines also reacted positively to two hand luggages at the Airport. A Moroccan passenger was found to be carrying €11,055 in undeclared cash whereas an Egyptian passenger was found to be carrying €15,000 in undeclared cash.

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Photo Source: Customs Malta FB

Justice Minister responds to criticism over finding jobs for supporters

Aug 23 2021

Following news that Justice Minister Edward Zammit Lewis would usually turn to Yorgen Fenech to find jobs for his supporters, the politician took to Facebook to clear the air with a response. He stated that he was being criticised for trying to help his constituents find the right employment for them and to maintain themselves and their families. He stated how as a representative of the population he has the duty to help wherever he is needed.

He continues by saying that he has always acted with integrity and honesty in whatever public career he held with sacrifice. He said this is also true of his family who never abused this position of Lewis to profit off of it. Zammit Lewis pointed out that he plans to keep doing so as he believes the current Labour government is the right choice for the good of Malta and Gozo.

This response comes after a report from Times of Malta alleged how exchanges between the Justice Minister and the murder suspect involved in the Daphne Caruana Galizia case were used to find jobs for his supporters. The report alleges that these go back to 2014, back when Lewis was still Tourism Minister. The Justice Minister has come under considerable critique for his exchanges with Fenech. Current Prime Minister Robert Abela has so far stood by Lewis, despite many calls for his resignation.

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Photo Source: DW, Edward Zammit Lewis FB