Updated 1020
Gaddafi widow contests release of EUR94m in BOV funds to Libyan state: The widow of deposed Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi has filed an appeal against a decision by a Maltese court to release over €94 million held in Bank of Valletta accounts in favour of the Libyan state. The Times of Malta reports that the appeal was filed by Maltese lawyer Louis Cassar Pullicino on behalf of the Gaddafi heirs’ lawyer, Charilos Oikonomopoulos and Gaddafi’s widow, Safiya Ferkash Mohammed. They are arguing that the Maltese courts lacked jurisdiction and could not decide the case over the funds.
Greens argue that President inaction on IVF is unconstitutional: ADPD chairman Carmel Cacopardo has called President George Vella’s continued delay in assenting to amendments to Malta’s IVF rules, a breach of his constitutional responsibilities. The Maltese Parliament approved the legislation of preimplantation genetic testing on embryos for inheritable diseases on 6 July. However, the President has not yet signed the law, with media reports suggesting that Vella may wait to be abroad and leave the uncomfortable signature to the Acting President.
Man seriously injured in Mellieħa crash: A man was grievously injured in a traffic accident in Mellieha early on Saturday morning, the police said. The Malta Independent reported that the accident involved a Volkswagen T-Cross, driven by a 41-year-old man of Mellieha, and a Mazda Demio driven by a 19-year-old woman of Mgarr. The man was taken to hospital with grievous injuries.
Morning Briefing
Whistleblower speaks of trauma after Caruana Galizia assassination
An anonymous whistleblower behind the massive 2016 Panama Papers data leak has shared his first public comments since then, revealing that the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia affected him deeply. In an interview with German news outlet Der Spiegel, and picked up by The Times of Malta the whistleblower, referred to only by the pseudonym ‘John Doe’, demands that the European Union delivers justice for both Caruana Galizia and slain Slovakian journalist Ján Kuciak. “Their deaths affected me deeply, and I call upon the European Union to deliver justice for Daphne and Ján and their families. And to deliver rule of law in Malta, one of Mossack Fonseca’s former jurisdictions.”
Jordan Azzopardi arrested after car chase
Jordan Azzopardi has been re-arrested by police after a car chase in Madliena on Friday afternoon. The 32-year-old was out on police bail as he faced charges relating to drug trafficking and to running a secret drug factory in Wardija. He was arrested while in his BMW SUV after the police’s anti-drugs squad spent days observing him. He was seen disposing of a bag believed to contain drugs prior to his arrest.
Rosianne Cutajar given Children Council role
Government has appointed Labour MP Rosianne Cutajar as a member of the Council for Children. This was announced on the government gazette issued on 22 July The Council caired by Commissioner for Children Antoinette Vassallo, also includes members Darlinka Barbara, Victor Bugeja, Svetlana Grech, Neil Portelli, and Patrick Zahra.
