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Italian parliament report says Malta becoming home for fugitives
Malta’s proximity to Sicily and its ease of setting up companies, has established it as an outpost for mafia-related remote gaming business and a base for fugitives. Accounts of the solid ties between Malta’s white-collar industries and drug operations, with the mafia in Sicily and the ‘Ndrangheta of Calabria, are now a regular feature of the biannual report of Italy’s anti-mafia unit DIA to the Italian parliament.The island’s geographical proximity to the Italian peninsula, with the possibility of avoiding customs controls, has in recent years favoured the “migration” of organised crime of the various Italian mafia clans. In its latest report, the DIA says Malta’s particularly favourable tax regime, and ease-of-business regulations, “allows the various clans to carry out profitable money laundering activities.” (Maltatoday)
NGO claims Indians allured by phantom jobs in Malta
According to an NGO representing Indians in Malta, Indian citizens frequently shell out substantial sums of money in agency fees with the expectation of working in Malta, only to discover that the promised job doesn’t actually exist. In order to remain in the country legally, they are compelled to pay income tax through the agency, despite not earning any income. The agencies subsequently furnish the Maltese government with payslips as a means to falsely validate the presence of these individuals as “employees” in Malta. Sanjolucy Leela, president of the Malta Malayalee Association, described this situation as resembling a “mafia.” (Times of Malta)
New plans for Comino development presented
HV Hospitality, the owner of the hotel and bungalow sites on Comino, has submitted revised plans for the Comino bungalows. These new plans aim to address public criticism by further reducing the built footprint. According to a statement from HV Hospitality, the proposed reduction amounts to 8,244 square meters, equivalent to 32 tennis courts. In April, seven organizations jointly staged a counter-exhibition in response to Hili Group’s presentation of their redevelopment plans for the old Comino Hotel site and a villa complex in Santa Marija Bay. (The Malta Independent)
Morning Briefing
Investigation absolves former Tax Commissioner from wrongdoing
The magisterial inquiry into the chat conversations between former tax chief Marvin Gaerty and businessman Yorgen Fenech has determined that there is no basis for a case. The investigation focused on potential trading in influence involving Gaerty and Fenech, who is accused of being involved in the conspiracy to murder journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. Gaerty’s lawyers, Franco Debono and Francesca Zarb, confirmed that their client has been cleared by the magisterial inquiry. Gaerty expressed his satisfaction with the conclusion of the inquiry, stating that it reaffirms what he had maintained from the beginning, and he is relieved that this matter has now been closed. (Times of Malta)
Scooter rider in danger after hit-and-run
A man who was riding an scooter is in danger of dying after he was hit by a car whose driver failed to stop. The incident took place just before Noon close to the MFSA office. The scooter rider hit by the car is a 41-year-old Finnish national. The man was given assistance by a medical team before being transferred by ambulance to Mater Dei Hospital, where he was later certified to be seriously injured. A manhunt for the driver is underway, the police confirmed. (TVM)
Almost 50 scooter and cab drivers caught flouting rules on Saturday night
During the roadside inspections conducted by Transport Malta on Saturday night at the “Pender Gardens spot check,” a total of 95 vehicles with Y plates were stopped and subjected to thorough inspections. Among them, eight cab drivers were found to be in violation of traffic regulations, according to the transport regulator. Additionally, 41 e-kick scooter riders were also found to be flouting the rules during the inspection. (Newsbook)
