Nexia BT’s partner Karl Cini has no comment to give on the 17 Black situation.

Journalists who approached Cini this morning as he was to attend a conference were given no answers to questions they raised.

Nexia BT had acquired OPM Chief of Staff Keith Schembri and Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi’s Panama companies through Mossack Fonseca, and helped set up the Trust structures for the companies.

17 Black, which was recently reported to be owned by Yorgen Fenech from the Electrogas consortium, was listed as a target client of the two aforementioned Panama companies owned by Schembri and Mizzi.

While Schembri said that 17 Black, and Macbridge – a company whose ownership is not yet known – were part of draft business plans, Mizzi holds that there is no connection between him and 17 Black.

Schembri had said: “17 Black and MacBridge were included in draft business plans for my business group as potential clients. My companies make dozens of business plans such as these. However, it is a fact that neither 17 Black nor MacBridge ever became clients of my business group, and no transactions were ever recorded with these companies, or with me personally. I have no knowledge of the transfers referred to, nor any knowledge of the alleged payment.”

Mizzi, on the other hand, said: “I never knew about 17 Black. I never had the intention of knowing it and I do not know till this day who it belongs to apart from what I read in the media. Whatever this company did I do not know.”

This newsroom caught up with Cini from Nexia BT, and wanted to ask him about the 17 Black situation, however Cini refused to give any comments. Pressed on the matter, he remained adamant, and did not give any answers.

He was asked about the situation whether he was following his client’s (Konrad Mizzi) instructions on 17 Black, but he remained silent. Asked whether he was silent when questioned by the police, he did not provide any answers.

17 Black is currently subject to an inquiry.