Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela said that the cabinet is considering a rethink on legislation that might "hinder investigations into organised crime". He also said that the Cabinet had discussed Monday's the car bombing in Msida, which is when the issue of such hindering laws came up.
Yesterday's car bomb falls under the category of organised crime under Maltese law.
Addressing journalists, Minister Carmelo Abela did not specify which particular laws hinder investigations into organised crime. He was asked if he was referring to a lawyer's representation when an individual is initially questioned by the police throughout their primary investigations. The Minister replied by saying he could not confirm what was said in the Cabinet meeting while adding that such decisions should be taken in a European context.
"The problem arises when a person being questioned by the police in connection with organised crime and the police does not present sufficient evidence at the early stages, leaving the lawyer present at liberty to dismiss the investigation and that person to walk free." Mr Abela did not elaborate further.
In light of this, the Ministry is carrying out an exercise in order to ascertain how laws can be strengthened with regards to organised crime and police investigations.
In addition, Mr Abela said that there were also discussions on increasing human resources within the police in order to assist in this type of investigations.
Asked by The Malta Independent whether the police is equipped with professional investigators who are adequately skilled, Mr Abela said that the government will not exclude engaging foreign investigators, but added that he is confident in the investigators currently employed in the police force.