Convicted murderer, partner and doctor face illegal IVF charges Convicted murderer Erin Tanti, his partner Marisa Gallo and Saint James Hospital founder Josie Muscat have been charged with carrying out an illegal IVF procedure. The case centres on how Tanti, serving 20 years for the death of teenager Lisa Maria Zahra in 2014, managed to impregnate his partner while in Corradino prison. Prosecutors allege a prison doctor smuggled his semen to Muscat, who performed the procedure at an unlicensed clinic. All three pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges including unauthorised cell transfer, while Muscat, 82, faces additional counts of improper record-keeping and operating from unlicensed premises. The prison doctor was suspended. The revelations reignite controversy around Tanti, a former drama teacher who admitted wilful homicide in 2019. (Times of Malta)
Diver dies in Dwejra tragedy A 54-year-old woman has died while diving off Dwejra in Gozo. Police said they were alerted at around 12.30pm on Monday that a swimmer was in difficulty at sea. Bystanders rushed to assist and helped bring the woman to shore, but she was certified dead on site by a medical team. The circumstances leading to her death remain unclear. Police investigations are under way, while Magistrate Simone Grech has launched an inquiry. Dwejra is a popular diving site renowned for its striking underwater landscapes but has also been the scene of several tragic incidents in recent years. Authorities have renewed calls for caution when undertaking water sports, especially as diving season continues into the autumn months. (The Malta Independent)
Report slams Malta’s secrecy on information reuqest An international report has described Malta’s freedom of information system as deliberately obstructive, designed to block accountability and hinder journalists. The Media Freedom Rapid Response investigation, which tracked requests in Germany, Hungary, Malta and Ukraine, found Malta’s laws and practices foster a “culture of secrecy.” It highlighted systematic delays, last-minute extensions, and eventual refusals as common tactics. Researcher Michaela Pia Camilleri said the process is “engineered to fail.” Malta currently ranks 83rd out of 140 in the Global Right to Information Index, reflecting restrictive legislation. Critics point to Article 32 of the FOI Act, which allows entire documents to be withheld if any portion is deemed exempt, blocking even partial disclosure. (Newsbook)
