PN spokesperson for Home Affairs Joe Giglio said that the PN is informed that former MGA official Iosif Galea was out on police bail and should not have been allowed to leave the country unless permission and approval was given by the Police, therefore with the approval of the Police Commissioner.

Galea was wanted by German authorities since last year but was only arrested last week while on holiday in Italy with a group that included former prime minister Joseph Muscat. Gaming consultant Iosif Galea, who used to work for the Malta Gaming Authority, was arrested over a German European Arrest Warrant linked to a tax investigation. An internal investigation is underway within the Police Force with the aim of ascertaining why Galea was not arrested in Malta despite being subject to a German European Arrest Warrant. 

Speaking at a press conference, Giglio said that there is information which indicates that Galea was given police bail, where if a person under investigation was not brought to court within 48 hours, then they are released on police bail. Giglio said that one of the conditions of being on police bail, is that the individual cannot travel outside of the country.

This means that Galea was allowed to leave the country by the Police Commissioner himself, Giglio said.

As for the internal police investigation launched by the police force, "it does not make sense that the Police Commissioner be involved in an investigation on the Police Commissioner himself," Giglio said. Giglio said that the responsibility must fall upon the Prime Minister.

"The Police Commissioner should be investigated from an independent source, one which is more transparent," Giglio said. He proposed a retired magistrate to conduct the investigation.

Giglio said that the situation posed a threat to the security of the country, as no one knew about the arrest warrant on Galea as he left the country's borders.

Giglio said that there is no guarantee that there aren't other individuals under similar situations who are being allowed to leave the country unhindered. He said that Malta's enforcement systems are not working well.

Answering media's questions, Giglio said that Galea was being investigated for financial crimes and was arrested by foreign police.