The Nationalist Party has demanded an explanation as to how ex Malta Gaming Authority official Iosif Galea was allowed to travel in and out of the country twice despite having a European Arrest Warrant issued against him.

In a statement, signed by the party’s Home Affairs spokesperson Joe Giglio, the party said that the news is “angering and worrying.”

Galea is wanted in Malta over an alleged racket involving leaked information from the Malta Gaming Authority, but was also wanted in Germany over an investigation linked to tax evasion.  He was arrested while on holiday in Italy in recent days.

He served as a compliance officer at the Malta Gaming Authority till 2013 after which he became a gaming consultant.

In its statement, the PN said that Galea’s travelling in and out of the country despite his arrest warrant means that, despite all the government’s nice words, its law enforcement systems are not working as they should.

“This fact is also a threat to the country’s security as it means that people who are wanted abroad for a crime can come in and leave without any hindrance,” the PN said, as the party demanded an explanation from the Home Affairs Minister and the Police Commissioner.

The statement reads that the GRECO report conclusions – where Malta was found to have only fully implemented two out of 23 recommendations – are another piece of evidence that despite all of the nice words which are uttered, Malta is still far behind when it comes to the reforms which are actually necessary.