Civil society NGO Repubblika has filed a constitutional case asking the courts to declare that corruption in the Electrogas contract is leading consumers to pay extra on their energy bills.

It is also asking the court to order that consumers be refunded the difference they paid as a result of this corruption and to declare that the government’s behaviour in the Electrogas contract was in breach of human rights.

The application, signed by 47 members of Repubblika, calls as plaintiffs the State Advocate, Enemalta and ARMS.

Repubblika said this was another initiative to ensure that justice is made with citizens when the state abuses its powers and breaches human rights.

“Corruption leaves victims and, in this case, the victims are all those who pay electricity bills,” it said.

It said the government had done nothing to invalid the energy contract, despite the revelations by several journalists, including Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was killed while investigating corruption at Electrogas, and despite a shocking NAO report and years of protests.

This is an injustice that needs to be addressed, it said.

Repubblika said the suit was part of its efforts to push the institutions to implement laws and crack down on fraud and corruption.

“The government should be doing this out of its own volition, but the government is corrupt from its roots. This is why Malta is not trusted internationally when it comes to financial transactions,” the NGO said.

The application was signed by lawyer Avukat Edward DeBono.