Former Allied Newspapers Managing Director Adrian Hillman “always intended to come to Malta voluntarily”, his lawyer is quoted as saying.

MaltaToday reports a statement issued by Hillman’s lawyer Stefano Filletti saying that Hillman wants “to fully cooperate” with the Maltese authorities. The Malta Independent did not receive the statement.

Hillman is wanted by the Maltese police on charges of money laundering and corruption.  He is the subject of an extradition request from the UK where he is residing. In March, 11 people were charged in Maltese courts following an extensive investigation which also included Hillman.

Criminal charges are expected against Hillman after the conclusions of a magisterial inquiry into the purchase of printing machines by Progress Press from Keith Schembri’s company Kasco Ltd a decade ago. 

According to a leaked Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit report, Schembri allegedly filtered over €650,000 to Hillman in over 30 “suspicious transactions” between 2011 and 2015.

In Saturday’s statement, Filletti said that Hillman had cooperated and engaged with the authorities for the past two months and had “always intended to come to Malta voluntarily”.

“From March, Adrian has immediately cooperated with the authorities and has engaged with them constantly for the past two months. He has made his whereabouts known to them from day one. This is simply because he has always intended to come to Malta voluntarily and clear his name of these accusations. He intends to fully cooperate with the authorities and is not contesting the extradition. The extradition process itself takes time and he will be returning.”