Updated 1300
Malta hosts high-level migration summit: Political leaders from nine Mediterranean countries, including Italian PM Giorgia Meloni and French President Emmanuel Macron are in Malta for a high-level summit on migration as the southern European countries seek to establish a unified stance regarding the increasingly contentious matter of handling the influx of individuals crossing the Mediterranean to reach Europe. The MED9 summit is also addressing major issues such as climate change considerations, especially in light of extreme weather incidents and natural disasters in the Mediterranean region, the Ukraine conflict and strategies for enhancing the effectiveness of sanctions against Russia, as well as matters concerning the economy, energy and fuel pricing.
Global body expresses concern at persistent corruption at highest levels: Malta’s persistent corruption problem, especially among high-level politicians has been highlighted in a report released by The Global Initiative Against Transnational and Organised Crime. The 2023 Global Organized Crime Index assessed Malta’s ability to combat organised crime across government, judiciary, economy and society. Despite some efforts by the current government to restore the country’s rule of law reputation, investigations into political involvement in organised crime and corruption have stalled, the organisation noted. The report also pointed out that organized crime and public safety haven’t become key political campaign issues, despite concerns from opposition parties and civil society. Furthermore, the report criticized the perceived lack of independence and staffing issues within the corruption commission, along with allegations of nepotism and conflicts of interest in various government activities.
Taxi group laments unsustainable, unregulated operations: A taxi lobby group has described the ride-hailing industry as an “unsustainable” one which has gone unregulated for years. In comments to the media, the Light Passenger Operators Association (LPOA) President, Aaron Gatt argued that operators were seeing their profit margins dive by as much as 45% from the previous year while working more hours. Gatt recalled that back in 2019, new regulations lowered requirements to enter this industry. While acknowledging that enforcement has now been ramped up, the group called more effective action in the sector.
Morning Briefing
40-year-old sentenced 14 years in prison for near-fatal stabbing
A 40-year-old man, Hisham Ali Abuagilla, formerly living in Sliema, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison and fined €4,000, and ordered to pay over €14,600 in costs. Mr. Justice Aaron Bugeja handed down this sentence today as part of a plea bargaining agreement between Abuagilla and the prosecution, following a near-fatal stabbing incident in Tigné in August 2021, which led to charges of attempted murder, causing grievous injury, disturbing the peace, and carrying a knife in public. Additionally, all of his property has been confiscated after he admitted to charges of attempted murder and aggravated drug possession.
Man gets 10k fine on disability meme
Luke Mihalic, aged 29 and residing in Naxxar, received a €10,000 fine from a court for sharing a meme on the social platform. The meme was determined to be mocking individuals with Down’s Syndrome. Magistrate Yana Micallef Stafrace found Luke Mihalic guilty of “misusing computer and telecommunications equipment” on Thursday. This charge was related to a meme he posted in April 2020 within the Facebook group ‘Uncensored Jokes Malta.’
MEP wants Brussels to look into benefit racket
MEP David Casa has urged President Ursula von der Leyen to take decisive action in response to the “vote buying scandal” involving the Labour Party. This scandal, which came to light earlier this month, allegedly revolves around the party providing disability benefits to approximately 800 individuals in exchange for their votes. According to a statement from the European People’s Group released on Thursday, Casa characterised the party in power as functioning like a criminal organisation, involved in activities such as fraud, forgeries, and kickbacks in order to purchase votes, thereby undermining the integrity of our democratic system. Casa also highlighted that this scandal ranks among the most egregious instances of corruption in a series of revelations over the years.
