During the past weeks we have been witnessing the exposure of a web of criminality which has infiltrated and infected all sectors of our society. Revelations are being made public by instalments, as if a new edition of La Piovra (made in Malta) is being launched.
Information leaking from the Yorgen Fenech investigation, as well as from other related investigations, has revealed an intricate network which pervades practically all local institutions. Just like the octopus, which with its eight long tentacles seeks to control all from far away.
We cannot say that we were not warned about this. At a point in time, it was stated that if Yorgen Fenech falls, all around him will collapse too. One instalment after the other we are realising the extent of control of the octopus.
One witness after another is confirming that the criminal gang under investigation was continuously aware of the different moves of the police investigators, in real-time and with substantial notice. Those carrying out the assassination were even aware, with a three-week notice, as to when they were to be arrested. It was sufficient notice, we were told, that enabled them to plan where they would prefer the arrest to take place. They selected the potato shed at Marsa as their preference!
You would undoubtedly remember the first news instalments on Silvio Valletta, then still deputy Commissioner of Police and in charge of the criminal investigation into the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia. He was introduced as Uncle Silvio to Yorgen Fenech's family. The two men (Silvio and Yorgen), one year after the assassination were on such close terms that on 29 September 2018, they were together at Stamford Bridge enjoying a game of football: Chelsea playing against Liverpool.
It is no news that Yorgen Fenech has a sharp eye for strategic investment opportunities. He chose his portfolio with care. He invested carefully in Silvio Valletta. Silvio was after all also a member of the Board of the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU). Such focused investments yield handsome dividends. Most probably there is still much more that we do not know yet as to the dividends actually reaped.
These are the methods of the Mafia, a term which we normally use to describe organised crime which is so organised that it infiltrates all layers of the state. The Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister's Office, the deputy Police Commissioner, one Cabinet Minister and a number of others of a lower order were depicted in the testimony to date as being in the service of organised crime. This is as serious as it gets. Whether others higher up were also in the game is still not known for certain yet.
It is not known when the whole truth will be uncovered even though periodically we learn about an additional small bit.
This has been possible because successive governments have been allergic to good governance. The abundance of institutions set up throughout the years have been staffed with a multitude of weak men and women who have generally not been capable of standing up to the exercise of raw power. In the moment of truth, because they were weak, they gave way and allowed the octopus to move unhindered.
The published information, including confidential chats on WhatsApp, with senior officers of the Malta Gaming Authority, the Malta Financial Services Authority, the Planning Authority and others, is another worrying indicator as to how the authorities set up to defend society have been seriously undermined and compromised.
The road ahead is very difficult to navigate. Undoubtedly, much more is yet unknown. The octopus is still in control.
An architect and civil engineer, the author is chairperson of ADPD-The Green Party in Malta [email protected], http://carmelcacopardo.wordpress.com