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Malta PM's chief of staff quits as Daphne Caruana Galizia inquiry continues Malta PM's chief of staff quits as Daphne Caruana Galizia inquiry continues
(32 minutes later)
Keith Schembri understood to be assisting police in case of journalist killed in 2017Keith Schembri understood to be assisting police in case of journalist killed in 2017
The Maltese prime minister’s chief of staff has resigned in an escalation of the political turmoil surrounding the investigation into the murder of the prominent anti-corruption journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in 2017.The Maltese prime minister’s chief of staff has resigned in an escalation of the political turmoil surrounding the investigation into the murder of the prominent anti-corruption journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in 2017.
“Yesterday evening, my chief of staff informed me that from today he would be relinquishing his post,” the prime minister, Joseph Muscat, confirmed at a brief press conference on the steps of his office on Tuesday morning. “Yesterday evening, my chief of staff informed me that from today he would be relinquishing his post,” the prime minister, Joseph Muscat, said at a brief press conference on the steps of his office on Tuesday morning.
Keith Schembri is understood to have been taken to police headquarters for questioning in relation to the Caruana Galizia case, and police were seen entering one of his properties on Tuesday. Schembri himself made no immediate comment. Keith Schembri is understood to have been taken to police headquarters for questioning in relation to the case, and police were seen entering one of his properties on Tuesday. Schembri made no immediate comment.
The chief of staff, along with Muscat’s tourism minister, had been accused of corruption by Caruana Galizia. They have denied any wrongdoing. The chief of staff, along with the tourism minister, Konrad Mizzi, had been accused of corruption by Caruana Galizia. They have denied any wrongdoing.
His resignation followed reports on Monday night that a businessman arrested last week in connection with the murder was preparing to make allegations against him. The resignation followed reports on Monday night that a businessman arrested last week in connection with the murder was preparing to make allegations against Schembri.
Opposition politicians have been calling for Schembri’s resignation since Caruana Galizia reported that he and Malta’s current tourism minister, Konrad Mizzi, had taken control of secretive Panama shell companies soon after entering office, but Muscat has stood by his chief lieutenant. Opposition politicians have been calling for his resignation since Caruana Galizia reported that he and Mizzi, then energy minister, had taken control of secretive Panama shell companies soon after entering office, but Muscat has stood by his chief lieutenant.
Asked whether he would consider his own position, the prime minister said: “I have always said I don’t intend seeking re-election. I don’t intend to serve more than two terms. My role right now is to make sure that we navigate through this turbulent time in the best possible manner. Once this chapter is closed with the arraignment of person or persons on this case I will make my consideration.”Asked whether he would consider his own position, the prime minister said: “I have always said I don’t intend seeking re-election. I don’t intend to serve more than two terms. My role right now is to make sure that we navigate through this turbulent time in the best possible manner. Once this chapter is closed with the arraignment of person or persons on this case I will make my consideration.”
Muscat added: “I would definitely resign if there is any sort of association between myself and the murder.”Muscat added: “I would definitely resign if there is any sort of association between myself and the murder.”
Manfred Weber, the head of the centre-right EPP grouping in the European parliament, described recent events as “very worrisome”.Manfred Weber, the head of the centre-right EPP grouping in the European parliament, described recent events as “very worrisome”.
“There are lot of additional questions on the table for the prime minster of Malta,” he said, adding that Muscat had to take political responsibility with regard to the principle of an independent investigation and the rule of law.“There are lot of additional questions on the table for the prime minster of Malta,” he said, adding that Muscat had to take political responsibility with regard to the principle of an independent investigation and the rule of law.
Schembri had been facing renewed pressure following the arrest last week of the businessman Yorgen Fenech, who was detained as a person of interest in the Caruana Galizia investigation and had alleged business links with Schembri. Fenech is expected to be formally charged on Tuesday. Schembri had been facing renewed pressure after the arrest of the businessman Yorgen Fenech, with whom he had alleged business links. Fenech is expected to be formally charged on Tuesday.
Caruana Galizia, one of Malta’s best-known investigative journalists, was killed in a bomb explosion as she left her home on 16 October 2017, in a murder that shocked Europe and raised questions about the rule of law on the small Mediterranean island. Three men are awaiting trial for setting off the bomb, as police continue their investigation into who ordered the killing. Caruana Galizia, one of Malta’s best-known investigative journalists, was killed in a bomb explosion as she left her home on 16 October 2017. The murder shocked Europe and raised questions about the rule of law on the small Mediterranean island. Three men are awaiting trial for setting off the bomb, as police continue their investigation into who ordered the killing.
Melvin Theuma, a taxi driver and loan shark who claims to have been a middleman in the alleged murder plot, was told last week he would be granted a presidential pardon in return for information he had given about the case. Melvin Theuma, a taxi driver and alleged loan shark who claims to have been a middleman in the alleged murder plot, was told last week he would be granted a presidential pardon in return for information he had given about the case.
Fenech, who resigned as head of his family business earlier this month, was apprehended last week while sailing away from Malta onboard his luxury yacht at about 5.30am on Wednesday morning. Fenech, who resigned as head of his family business earlier this month, was apprehended while sailing away from Malta on his luxury yacht at about 5.30am on Wednesday morning.
Shortly before her death, Caruana Galizia received a massive leak of data from an energy company co-owned by Fenech. His company, Electrogas, won a concession to run a major power station from Muscat’s administration.Shortly before her death, Caruana Galizia received a massive leak of data from an energy company co-owned by Fenech. His company, Electrogas, won a concession to run a major power station from Muscat’s administration.
Investigations have revealed Fenech as the owner of a secretive offshore company, 17 Black, which Caruana Galizia was looking into at the time of her death. It was later revealed 17 Black was due to make payments to the Panama companies belonging to Mizzi, Malta’s then energy minister, now in charge of tourism, and Schembri. Investigations have revealed Fenech as the owner of a secretive offshore company, 17 Black, which Caruana Galizia was looking into at the time of her death. It was later revealed 17 Black was due to make payments to the Panama companies belonging to Mizzi and Schembri.
Schembri and Mizzi have both previously said they had no knowledge of any connection between 17 Black and Fenech, or of any plan to receive payments connected to Fenech. Both men have both previously said they had no knowledge of any connection between 17 Black and Fenech, or of any plan to receive payments connected to Fenech.
Challenged about whether he had stood by his chief of staff for too long, Muscat replied: “That is a valid opinion.”Challenged about whether he had stood by his chief of staff for too long, Muscat replied: “That is a valid opinion.”