In what was a quite frankly unprecedented – and wholly out of the blue – development in the latest chapter of the Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri saga, the US State Department announced a travel ban against the duo and their families on Wednesday.

It is news which came totally out of left field, and which was explained to be as a result of Mizzi and Schembri’s “involvement in significant corruption”.

“In their official capacities as Minister of Energy and Conservation of Water and Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister, Mizzi and Schembri were involved in corrupt acts that included using their political influence and official power for their personal benefit,” the US State Department’s statement read.

“Specifically, there is credible information that Mizzi and Schembri were involved in a corrupt scheme that entailed the award of a government contract for the construction of a power plant and related services in exchange for kickbacks and bribes,” the statement continued.

“Their actions undermined rule of law and the Maltese public’s faith in their government’s democratic institutions and public processes,” it concluded.

The statement itself is a scathing and damning assessment – probably the most scathing and damning yet – of the Muscat administration and the Electrogas power station deal which it presumably refers to.

It is unprecedented certainly in Maltese history for another country – the United States of America no less – to black-ban two people who were amongst the highest politicians in the government because of their involvement in a corruption scandal.

It is also something which brings shame onto our country’s name and our country’s reputation.  Besides that, however, it should also bring shame onto the people in our police force.

Imagine a scenario where a sovereign nation halfway across the globe decides to ban people from entering their country over their alleged involvement in corruption (something which they did not allege, incidentally, but referred to as a matter of fact), but the local police force have yet to lift a finger to prosecute either of them in relation to this same case.

The evidence is there for all to see.  The ties to Azerbaijan, to the company 17 Black which was to send the equivalent of €5,000 every day to Mizzi and Schembri – who listed the company as their target clients, are known.  This was found by the FIAU, but exposed thanks to the work of journalists who ensured that the report would not continue to rot on the shelves of the police depot, with no action taken on it.

The Electrogas power station deal remains one which is mired in corruption.  It will remain associated with Yorgen Fenech – who is charged with masterminding the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia, the first person to mention 17 Black – and with Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri.

The fact that neither Schembri nor Mizzi have ever faced charges for the above is a scandal in itself.

We can only live in hope that someday the arm of Maltese justice catches up with the long arm of American justice.