PN leader Simon Busuttil this morning testified before Magistrate Aaron Bugeja in the inquiry on the Egrant saga.

After a two-hour testimony, Dr Busuttil told the media that he has presented documents to the magistrate, and these will be investigated. 

He said that the Prime Minister should shoulder his responsibilities in the wake of these revelations, adding that any extra day he spends in power he is causing more damage to the country.

Questioned by the media regarding the call for an early election, Dr Busuttil commented that it is not normal for a Government elected with a 36,000 majority to hold an election after only four years. "That in itself already shows that there’s something which isn’t normal," he said.

"The only reason the PM wants an early election is to avoid being interrogated in the ongoing investigation," he said.               

Dr Busuttil said that he is not publishing the documents he presented to the magistrate to protect his sources and in order to show others that it is safe to come forward with information.

Dr Busuttil refused to say whether his source was the FIAU report which investigated the issue.

He told the press that he provided proof to the Magistrate regarding both Egrant and the citizenship scheme.

He also confirmed that he has still not been approached by the police commissioner.

On Tuesday, the Opposition Leader said he had documented proof that OPM chief of staff Keith Schembri took kickbacks from Nexia BT’s Brian Tonna on sale of passports. On Wednesday he filed an application to testify before Magistrate Aaron Bugeja, who is conducting an inquiry into the Egrant saga.

The application was accepted by the magistrate, and Dr Busuttil is now in court to give his testimony.

Dr Busuttil said that he will only present the proof he has to the magistrate, as he has no confidence in the police commissioner.

 

Daphne Caruana Galizia arrives in court from The Malta Independent on Vimeo.

 

Blogger Daphne Caruana Galizia also appeared before the magistrate this morning.

She had initially turned down the request to testify, however arrived at the Malta courts after being summoned by the magistrate.

Speaking to The Malta Independent as she waited to testify, Daphne Caruana Galizia said she will be testifying on what is already public.