Assistant Commissioner Ian Abdilla, who is a former head of the economic crimes unit, has been suspended from the police force.

Replying to The Malta Independent, the police said: "The Malta Police Force has suspended an MPF official in line with the Public Service Commission Disciplinary Regulations, pending investigations."

In June 2020, Police Commissioner Angelo Gafa had appointed Alexandra Mamo as head of the economic crimes unit, replacing Abdilla. This was done soon after Gafa took up the post of Commissioner.

Abdilla has been criticised for his lack of action against top government officials over allegations of wrongoing during his time as head of the unit. He also was a liaison officer for the police with the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit.

Abdilla had, during the public inquiry into the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, said that when FIAU reports were leaked, Former OPM Chief of Staff Keith Schembri had sent for him and asked for his opinion about the ones that dealt with him (Schembri). Abdilla had said that he had met Schembri twice about these reports.

Abdilla had also told the board that he had been on the way to speak with Yorgen Fenech when it was revealed that the latter was the 17 Black owner, but turned back when his superior at the time, Silvio Valletta, had said Fenech was indisposed. The police did not go to talk to Fenech again, nor called him to the depot, the public inquiry report read.