LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A vigil for truth and justice was organised late Saturday evening in Valletta to commemorate the fourth anniversary from the killing of Maltese invesigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.
A number of international speakers addressed the crowd during the vigil, including Italian Senator and journalist Sandro Ruotolo, the Mayor of Palermo Leoluca Orlando and Italian MEP Caterina Chinnici, daughter of the Sicilian judge Rocco Chinnici killed by the mafia in 1983.
In a recorded message from the city of Palermo, Mayor Leoluca Orlando said that four years after the killing of Daphne Caruana Galizia, the message of truth and justice is still valid. He added Daphne was killed by an organized crime system. “We know the history. The history of Palermo. The history of the Mafia. The mafia that was the face of the institutions. You too in Malta have the right to defend the institutions against the organised crime.”
Italian Senator Sandro Ruotolo declared “Daphne was right”, adding that four years after the killing of Caruana Galizia, he did not expect to reiterate his solidarity. “I was hoping for the whole truth to be revealed and justice to be done, but four years later we are here in this square more worried than ever because the threats against press freedom have increased, we do not know the wholte truth on the assassination of Daphne and justice needs to be served.” He also referred to Maltese politicians close to the Labour Government who were mentioned in the Panama Papers and to corrupt public contracts such as that in the field of energy supply, and who have not even been investigated.
In a video message, Italian MEP Caterina Chinnici said that despite knowing the danger she was working in, Daphne Caruana Galizia still worked to expose the truth and to defend the European fundamental rights such as freedom of the press, the good administration of justice and the rule of law.
Civil society movement Repubblika President Robert Aquilina called on the police chief and the attorney general to get their act together and prosecute whoever was involved in the corruptions scandals, Daphne Caruana Galizia uncovered.
Ricardo Gutièrrez from the European Federation of Journalists told the crowd “Daphne is a symbol. Daphne is a role model for all of us. We will never forget her. She is changing this country in ways that no one would have dared to consider.”
The legal advisor of the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom, Flutura Kusari called on Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela and other political leaders to use their power to stop discrediting campaigns against those seeking justice for Daphne. “If anything happens to them or if the cases before the court fail, the Maltese state will be responsible.”
Rebecca Vincent from Reporters Without Borders said that although progress was registered in the investigations “wère not going anywhere until justice is fully served.
Tom Gibson from the Committee to Protect Journalists said that Daphnès murder was an attack on press freedom in Malta and against press freedom in Europe. “When they investigate and publish, they bring information to our attention. They strengthen our systems. They strengthen us. The protection of this is such as an important aspect of Daphnès legacy.” Gibson said Daphne Caruana Galiziàs memory will be preserved around Europe, and other journalists will follow in her footsteps.
Earlier in the afternoon, a silent gathering in memory of the murdered Daphne Caruana Galizia was held in Bidnija, the same place where Daphne lived and was assassinated in a car bomb. Activists carried a large banner with a message “Daphne was right” and laid flowers and candles.
Today’s commemoration has also inspired many international figures and institutions to speak up for the importance of Maltàs press freedom, rule of law, and a clear call for justice.
12 international press freedom organisations stated that “it is deeply unsettling to reiterate, four years on, our call for justice for this heinous attack as impunity continues to fester.”
Dunja Mijatovic, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights described Daphne Caruana Galizia as “a courageous woman and a brilliant journalist who used her skills to speak truth to power. She served the public good, believing in the power of journalism to build a more just society.” Paying tribute to the journalist, Mijatovic added “despite herself, Daphne became the symbol of all the threats against journalists when she was brutally killed four years ago.”
Additionally, the United States embassy in Malta has called for a thorough, transparent, timely, and credible conclusion to the investigations into her murder.
So far, one of three men accused of planting the car bomb pleaded guilty and was jailed for 15 years. However, brothers George and Alfred Degiorgio are still awaiting trial while Maltàs attorney general has called for a life sentence for businessman Yorgen Fenech for allegedly masterminding the murder.
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese authorities will ease more COVID-19 restrictive measures related to mass events as from next Monday. This was confirmed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health Chris Fearne while confirming that the coronavirus is under control.
At the moment, 11 patients positive to COVID-19 are recieving treatment at Mater Dei Hospital. Only one is in intensive care. Recently, the Maltese health authorties confirmed some isolated cases in schools, however no COVID-19 clusters were registered. No deaths were reported this week while the total number of active cases stands at 290.
The Deputy Prime Minister said that restrictions will be applicable for events which are open to fully vaccinated individuals.
As from Monday, children under the age of 12, who cannot get the jab yet, will no longer require a recent rapid test or a PCR when attending events with a fully vaccinated guardian or parent.
The health authorities will also ease the measure relating to the number of people seated at table, which will go up to eight individuals per table.
In case of fully vaccinated individuals, outdoor tables can be set at 1m distance from each other instead of 2 meters, while in case of indoor tables these can be placed at 1.5 meters away from each other instead of two.
Public transport including the fast ferries, will be allowed to take up to 80% of their capacity.
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela confirmed today that Pope Francis will be visiting Malta during the first three months of next year. The announcement was made by the Maltese Prime Minister following a private audience with the Head of the Catholic Church at the Vatican.

Euro-Med affairs, migration, climate change, the contribution of Christianity to the history, culture and life of Malta, and the Church’s interest in human and social development in Malta, particularly education and welfare services were the main issues discussed between the Pontiff and Prime Minister Abela.

Pope Francis was accompanied by the Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States. According to the Vatican Press Office, the relations and collaboration between the Church and the State of Malta were also discussed during the meeting, and were described as “healthy”.

Pope Francis’ pastoral visit was planned for this year, but it was postponed due to concerns over an increase in COVID-19 cases and the forthcoming general election.
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Pope Francis’ visit to Malta will not take place this year as indicated earlier on this year. Although no official communication was made by the Archbishop Curia in Malta, local reports revealed that concerns of an increase in Covid-19 cases in Malta and speculation about a general election campaign in Malta within the next six months are the reasons behind the postponement.
The Maltese government was already made aware that no Papal visit would take place close to a general election.
This is the second time this year that Pope Francis’ visit to Malta has been postponed. In March 2020, both the Vatican and the Archbishop Curia announced that due to the pandemic situation, the Papal trip to Malta which was scheduled in May has been postponed.
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese government is proposing a €6.25 billion metro project that would be ready in 20 years or four term government terms. The studies were published by Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela.

The proposed metro system is similar to those in international cities of similar size and will include three metro lines with a total of 35 km of tracks and 25 stations across Maltàs main urban area. The system will be almost entirely underground. According to the plans, Gozo will not be included.

The three lines being proposed are the Northern Line serving Naxxar – Pembroke area, the Southern Line serving Cospicua -Mater Dei Hospital – Malta International Airport, and the Central Line Mrie?el – Valletta. Eventually, the Northern Line can be extended to serve Bu?ibba and St Paul’s Bay.

Donal McDaid, a mass transportation expert from Arup highlighted that the proposed system would address the urgent to reduce traffic congestion in Malta. McDaid said that the underground metro system matches most with Maltàs needs.

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The migrant community in Malta met in the capital city Valletta to protest against the inhumane treatment by the local authorities and public entities. The protest ended infront of the Home Affairs Ministry where the migrants presented proposals asking for more rights.
The proposals include granting citizenship to children born to migrant parents in Malta and access to social welfare such as children’s allowance for parents who pay their taxes regularly.
The protesters accused the home affairs ministry, and Identity Malta, among the authorities which they said treat them unfairly and hardheartedly. The migrants said they have serious concerns about the ways in which goverment’s entities staff and personnel address, treat and discriminate against migrants and asylum seekers by using anti-racism, anti-discrimination, and hate speech towards them.
The protest comes days after a migrant worker, 32-year-old Jaiteh Lamin from Ghana was last week dumped by his boss on a sidewalk after suffering serious injuries on a construction site because the migrant was working without a work permit.
Malta has registered an increase in violence against foreigners. In 2019, a migrant from Ivory Coast, Lassana Cisse was murdered in a drive-by shooting close to one of the migrants’ open centre. Two soldiers from the Armed Forces of Malta were accused with the murder.
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A 68-year old Italian-American national was released from his arrest in Malta following accusations of $50 million fraud at the expense of the United States Navy. The Italian-American national was arrested last Monday following a join operation by the Maltese and American authories. He arrived in Malta last Sunday and was staying in St. Julian’s.

The Office of the Attorney General filed a legal request for the re-arrest of Frank Salvatore Rafaraci who is wanted by the District Court of Columbia in the US.

The man had been suspected as a participant in a scheme that used falsified invoices and receipts for equipment and supplies provided to the US Navy. It is also alleged that he paid tens of thousands of euro to bribe US government officials in exchange for sensitive information on future military Navy contracts. It is also believed that Rafaraci and his partners laundered the funds using shell companies, evading millions of dollars in US taxes.

The accusations include conspiracy to commit bribery, wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

The court in Malta declared that Rafaracìs arrest had no basis according to law and ordered his release. However, the Office of the Attorney General said that he is effectively free to escape from Malta without having gone through a legal process to be extradited.
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta became the first EU state to operate a commercial flight to Libya. The flight operated by MelAir is a result of a bilateral agreement signed between the two countries when Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah visited Malta earlier this month.
Commercial flights between Malta and Libya were stopped following the unrest which erupted in the North African country in 2014.
Maltese economy minister Silvio Schembri who was on board the flight said both Malta and Libya are committed to collaborate with each other to each other’s benefit. He referred to the “enormous” potential in Libya, and said it deserves to be led by the Libyan people.
Libyan transport minister Mohammed Salem Al Shahoubi remarked that Libya intends on resuming a weekly flight between Malta and Libya. “We hope for a successful future for this vital airline, which will contribute to the economic growth and service of the Libyan people”, he said.
Minister Schembri met his Libyan counterpart, Mohammed Haweg, to discuss potential sectors where the two countries can collaborate.
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A 19-year-old Italian from Catania was grievously injured on Friday night after he was involved in a traffic accident in Naxxar. A car driven by a 50-year-old man with a 48-year-old woman in the passenger seat was involved in a crash with another car being driven by the Italian man. The Italian man and the female passenger of Swieqi were taken to Mater Dei Hospital. The man was found to have suffered grievous injuries while the woman was only slightly injured.
The Civil Protection officers were on-site to assist. The police are investigating the case.
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) (ITALPRESS) – The wife of the former Chief of Staff at the Office of the Maltese Prime Minister pleaded not guilty for money-laundering charges. Josette Schembri Vella, 45, from Mellieha was accused with financial crimes including money laundering. According to the Anti Money-Laundering Squad some €1.5 million were laundered. Schembri Vella was questioned by the Financial Crimes Investigation Police Department in recent days. The Court upholds the freezing order over the company’s assets. One of the companies in question is 3City Designs Limited, in which Schembri Vella owns a 50% stake. Kasco Holdings, her husband’s company, owns the remaining 50%.
Josette Schembri Vella was granted bail against a €10,000 deposit and personal guarantee of €40,000. Her husband, Keith Schembri who is currently undergoing medical treatment, was accused of financial crimes, including fraud, money laundering and corruption. Schembri, who served as former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s chief of staff from 2013 to 2019, was arrested in March.
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews