It is now abundantly clear why Maria Efimova, the Russian source of Daphne Caruana Galizia's Egrant story, had fled. She must have been convinced that her 'frame-up' attempt on the Prime Minister's wife, Michelle Muscat, would be exposed by the inquiring magistrate, Aaron Bugeja, once he concluded his report. Indeed this is what has now happened. Maria Efimova and Daphne Caruana Galizia were found to have made false allegations against Michelle Muscat, Keith Schembri, Konrad Mizzi and John Dalli.

Of course, Simon Busuttil who was leader of the PN at the time DCG had posted the 'Egrant' story had immediately made that allegation the PN's 'cavallo di battaglia' for the election. He also went to the President of Malta asking her to intervene by asking Dr Joseph Muscat to resign and is now in deep trouble. He has been asked to suspend himself from the PN's parliamentary group not just by Dr Adrian Delia but also by the PN's Administrative Council. Of course, what actually happened was that Delia turned tail and took Simon Busuttil off the hook.

But there are others who should be facing the music. David Casa has made himself Maria Efimova's main defender. He went to Greece at least twice to help her in her quest not to be extradited back to Malta to face accusations of fraud and false accusations she had made about police officers, including former police inspector and FIAU member, Jonathan Ferris.

David Casa, together with Roberta Metsola had used the Egrant "frame-up" attempt to undermine the Prime Minister and tarnish Malta's name in the European Parliament.

Eddy Privitera