Former European Commissioner John Dalli has said that not one shred of evidence was brought against him in two sittings.

He was reacting to the decision taken on Friday by Magistrate Caroline Farrugia Frendo that enough evidence has been brought forward for him to stand trial.

Dalli was charged with trading in influence and attempted bribery over an alleged €60 million bribe requested by his former aide, Silvio Zammit, to help lift an EU-wide ban on snus tobacco. He has pleaded not guilty. 

“Some media in Malta must have has a schadenfreude pleasure in reporting the decision of the court that there is a prima facie case against me and there for the compilation is to continue,” Dalli said in his short statement.

“Anyone following the case objectively would know that in two sittings not one shred of evidence has been brought against me.  It must be said that it was my choice not to move for the prima facie dismissal of the case.  I want this hearing to go through the full process and have the opportunity to expose the machinations of  the Commission and OLAF officials about this case.  This should start during the next sitting.  I hope that there will be no attempt to stop this through claims of immunity.”