Updated 1300
Maltese fugitive couple found in Libya: Man arrested, wife dead
A Maltese fugitive couple, previously on Europol’s most wanted list, has been found in Libya. Jomic Calleja Maatouk was arrested near Tripoli, while his wife, Marzia Calleja Maatouk, was discovered dead. The arrest followed a tip-off, leading to a swift operation by Maltese-trained Libyan troops. Jomic, 38, had vanished after being sentenced to five years for importing explosives and attempting to buy lethal poison online. Initially believed to have fled to Serbia, the couple was later tracked through Italy to North Africa. Known for attempting to acquire Polonium-210, Ricin, and fentanyl, Jomic was intercepted by Maltese police while receiving C-4 explosives. Marzia, 24, had a separate criminal record for cannabis possession. The operation underscored Malta’s strong diplomatic relations with Libya. Jomic is now in Libyan custody, awaiting extradition to Malta.
Brussels starts infringement proceedings against Malta for environmental, energy, data failures
The European Commission (EC) has initiated infringement proceedings against Malta for deficiencies in environmental justice, energy efficiency, and the digital economy. Malta has two months to address these issues to avoid further legal action. The EC criticised Malta for limited public and NGO access to courts on environmental matters, urging broader judicial access to enforce environmental laws. This follows previous reprimands, including issues with environmental studies and hunting laws. Nationalist MEP candidate Peter Agius called for legal mechanisms to hold authorities accountable. Additionally, Malta, along with six other countries, failed to submit energy efficiency reports and set performance requirements. The EC also cited Malta’s lack of a national authority for data access regulation enforcement.
Inflation rate down during April
In April, the annual inflation rate was 1.6%, down from 1.9% in March, a decrease of 0.3%. The National Statistics Office reported that the Food Index contributed the most to annual inflation (+0.96%). Conversely, the Transport and Communication Index had the largest negative impact on the annual inflation rate (-0.75%). The twelve-month average inflation rate for April was 3.6%.
Morning Briefing
PM confident of agreement with teachers
PM Robert Abela expressed confidence on Thursday that the protracted pay negotiations with teachers would be concluded within the next few days. He noted that the government and the Malta Union of Teachers had engaged in “productive and amicable” discussions recently. While these negotiations are still in progress, he expressed confidence on an agreement whereby teachers will get all they deserve, including arrears. Tensions between the MUT and the government were high last week, with the union threatening industrial action after talks seemed to hit an impasse. (Times of Malta)
PN formally asks for copy of magisterial inquiry
Leader of the Opposition Bernard Grech has requested the Attorney General to provide him with a copy of the magisterial inquiry into the Vitals issue and make it available to the public in a judicial protest filed in court. Speaking in front of the Valletta courts, Grech said that the PN “will continue making a number of steps, as the AG is choosing who to give the magisterial inquiry to,” remarking that Prime Minister Robert Abela and former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat already have a copy in hand. He said that the AG fell short of her duties by doing so. (The Malta Independent)
Muscat made €450,000 from consultancies in two years
During 2020 and 2021, former PM Joseph Muscat received around €450,000 in consulting fees from private corporations. Muscat is currently facing charges of money laundering following an inquity into the sale of state hospitals to Vitals Global Healthcare and Steward. International companies and other payroll firms connected to Vitals and Steward’s key players paid €453,728 to Muscat. Payments to the former Prime Minister were discovered by investigators who examined Muscat’s bank accounts in March 2020, just a few months after he resigned his posts. (Maltatoday)
