Maltese police were not approached by United States authorities in their investigation leading to the arrest of Pilatus Bank chairman Ali Sadr Hashemi Nejad, Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar told The Malta Independent.

This newsroom sent a number of questions to the Police Commissioner after Ali Sadr Hashemi Nejad was arrested on charges that he evaded U.S. economic sanctions against Iran by sending more than $115 million from Venezuela through U.S. banks.

Asked if the Maltese police will now take action against Pilatus bank and his owner, Cutajar replied “that the Maltese Police are working closely with other agencies and authorities on this matter and further comments regarding this case cannot be given, both due to legal constraints and due to the fact that such disclosure can hamper work that is current being carried out on same.”

The police commissioner during the past months has been under fire because the police failed to investigate allegations involving Pilatus Bank following revelations made by a Russian whistleblower, who escaped from Malta last June and on Tuesday turned herself in to Greek police.

The Civil Society Network has also asked for the resignation of the Police Commissioner and another protest will be taking place today.