Nearly 18 years after being accused of tax evasion, five men, two of whom died since then, were yesterday cleared of the charges brought against them due to lack of evidence.

The men are: Roger Sullivan, Henry Cassar, Mario Attard, Charles Abela and Lino Abela. Mr Sullivan and Mr Attard passed away in the meantime.

The men were accused of evading more than Lm67,000 in tax and excise duty between 16 September and 15 October 1989 when three containers arrived with quantities of pasta, alcohol, chocolate, clothes and various other items.

Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna ruled that there was not sufficient evidence to prove that Henry Cassar, Charles Abela and Lino Abela were involved in the importation of the said items in the three containers. Moreover, he said, the prosecution did not carry out enough calligraphic tests and comparisons to link the men to the containers.

Magistrate Apap Bologna said that the was no evidence to prove the security procedures used when these containers arrived in Malta, especially since the mentioned stamps were easily accessible for everyone to use.

He said that as a result of serious doubts on their involvement, the court had no option but to declare the men not guilty of the charges brought against them.

Former Police Superintendent Lawrence Cauchi and Superintendent Martin Bayliss prosecuted while Dr Manwel Mallia, Dr Jose Herrera and Dr Roberto Montalto appeared for the accused.