Update – Malta News Briefing – Monday 28 October 2024

Updated 1030

Court lifts Yorgen Fenech asset freeze after AG office mistake

A criminal court has lifted the asset freeze on Yorgen Fenech, initially imposed after his 2019 arrest in connection with the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. Fenech, who denies the charges, will be tried by Judge Edwina Grima, who cancelled the order earlier this month. According to the applicable regulations, the attorney general must set a specific amount for frozen assets based on the alleged crime. The deadline for this quantification was missed, prompting the judge’s decision to lift the blanket freeze. The Asset Recovery Bureau published a notice of the cancellation on its website. (Maltatoday)

Detention officer sues State after mistaken identity state

A 34-year-old female detention officer, is suing the State and Police Commissioner after an erroneous police raid left her traumatised and unable to continue performing her normal work duties. Four male officers from the Special Intervention Unit (SIU) entered Charlotte Casha’s Marsa penthouse, mistaking it for another address involved in a human trafficking probe. Startled from sleep and partially undressed, Casha was bound and seated by the officers, who soon realised their mistake. Casha describes the experience as her “worst nightmare” and alleges arbitrary arrest and degrading treatment in her lawsuit. (Times of Malta)

Morning Briefing

Budget 2025 to be presented this evening

Finance Minister Clyde Caruana will this evening present Malta’s Budget for 2025, with the government hinting at substantial changes aimed at alleviating economic pressures on the middle class and tackling Malta’s persistent traffic issues. Over recent days, Prime Minister Robert Abela promised targeted income tax cuts designed to benefit middle-income earners, providing some relief amid rising living costs. Additionally, Caruana is expected to outline significant measures to address Malta’s growing traffic and infrastructure challenges, as congestion remains a daily issue impacting quality of life and economic productivity.

PN calls for tax on COLA to go

Nationalist Party Leader Bernard Grech warned that if the government fails to cut tax on the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) in Monday’s budget, the budget will be “in vain.” Speaking to in Cospicua on the eve of the 2025 budget speech, Grech said, “We have repeatedly urged the government to stop taxing COLA, and if it doesn’t happen tomorrow, the budget will have missed its mark.” He expressed doubt that the tax would be removed, suggesting the government will instead continue to “pocket more taxes at the expense of your rightful cost of living adjustment.” (Times of Malta)

Two bouncers granted bail after injuring four youths

Two Serbian bouncers were granted bail after allegedly causing serious injuries to a group of young Germans in Paceville. Ivan Marjanovic, 43, and Milos Stojkovic, 37, residents of Msida, pleaded not guilty to assault charges and causing injuries to four youths while working as unlicensed bouncers. Police arrested the pair following reports of the brawl, identifying them through CCTV footage from the area. In court, it was revealed that the altercation began in one establishment and continued into another. Investigators are reviewing the possibility of charging a third individual, who also appears in the footage, for involvement in the fight. (TVM)