A European and international arrest warrant has been issued against a Russian whistleblower, Maria Efimova, a former employee of Pilatus Bank who is at the heart of the Egrant scandal.

Efimova has seemingly left the island for good taking along her family to a yet unknown destination.

In August, Magistrate Joseph Mifsud had ordered her name to be placed on the wanted list after she had repeatedly failed to turn up for a court sitting.

In a previous sitting in July, the court had ordered the woman to be brought to court under arrest.

During today’s sitting, Efimova once again made no appearance when her case was called out.

Inspector Jeffrey Scicluna explained that since last August’s sitting, a European Arrest Warrant as well as an International Arrest Warrant had been issued against the woman. All member states were informed via the Schengen Alert System, the court was told.

The woman is the subject of two criminal proceedings. She is accused of defrauding Pilatus Bank and of having made false accusations against Superintendent Denis Theuma and inspectors Jonathan Ferris and Lara Butters.

The case continues in March.