MEP Sophia in ‘t Veld, the Chair of the EP’s Rule of Law Monitoring Group (2nd from right), called on Tuesday for a thorough investigation of the latest revelations on 17 Black.
A joint investigation by Reuters and Times of Malta last week named Tumas Group CEO Yorgen Fenech as the owner of 17 Black. Fenech is also director of the ElectroGas Malta power station.
17 Black had been listed in leaked emails as a target client to Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri’s Panama companies.
“Any possible links and alleged payments between 17 Black and the two Panama companies Hearnville and Tillgate, owned by the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff, Keith Schembri, and Minister Konrad Mizzi, have to be brought to light. These new revelations are extremely worrying and should trigger an immediate and thorough investigation by the Maltese authorities. Given the possible relevance for the ongoing investigation into the murder of Ms Daphne Caruana Galizia, we expect Europol to be fully involved in the follow up. In that light, we also sent a letter to Europol requesting their involvement and assessment of the current situation,” said the Dutch MEP.
Sophia in ‘t Veld recently led a European Parliament mission to Malta to check on the ground the progress in the murder case investigations regarding the death of Ms Daphne Caruana Galizia and assess the situation of rule of law in the country.
The report summarising the meetings and conclusions of the MEPs travelling to Malta will be presented in a meeting of the Civil Liberties Committee on 20 November.
Meanwhile, the European Greens have asked the European Commission whether it was aware that Electrogas and Siemens might be involved in illegal kickbacks to Mizzi and Schembri, and what measures it intended taking about the recent revelations.
The Commission is expected to answer this question in a few weeks time.