NGO Repubblika filed an application in the magistrate’s court asking for an in genere inquiry into suspected trading in influence, among other things, following a hidden camera sting conducted by journalists.

“A senior partner of law firm Chetcuti Cauchi admitted that his proximity to government ministers could help change an application for someone who has been refused Maltese citizenship, against payment,” Repubblika said in a statement.

The Malta Individual Investor Programme Agency had recently suspended the licences of Chetcuti Cauchi Advisors Ltd, holders of licences IIP 001 and IIP 124, until further notice. The suspension came after one of its representatives was caught boasting of his friendly relations with both the Prime Minister and the parliamentary secretary for citizenship.

Repubblika also noted that “The Prime Minister appears to have authorised the Chetcuti Cauchi law firm to film their promotional video inside his office with a prominent appearance of Julia Farrugia Portelli endorsing the firm.”

“Notwithstanding the fact that Repubblika disagrees with the very principle of commoditizing citizenship, we also consider reprehensible the flippancy with which national security and the security of European member states and partners appear to be considered when clients of the passport scheme are able to override criminal records. This is, however, not surprising since the law regulating the passport scheme gives ministers unfettered power to override any disqualification to a citizenship application including a history in terrorism, crime or associations that harm Malta’s reputation.

“But even putting aside our objections to the sale of citizenship in and of itself, personal favours from ministers who are “childhood friends” of private agents amount, in our view, to corruption. Corruption is a crime and we do not accept it.

“In our application we allege that the information emerging from the program broadcast on M6 last week amounts to likely breaches in the Criminal Code. We allege that over a period of time there has been complicity, conspiracy and association in a criminal activity that includes bribery, trading in influence and false declarations in a public record among other crimes.”

The application was signed by lawyer Jason Azzopardi.