Police Commissioner Angelo Gafa is only taking action against Pilatus Bank after being forced to do his duty by civil society, NGO Repubblika said in a statement on Tuesday.

The NGO issued a statement in reaction to comments given by Gafa to The Malta Independent. The police chief said that investigations led to both the bank and its money laundering reporting officer facing charges in court, as well as the police being in the process of issuing international arrest warrants in connection with its investigation into Pilatus Bank.

The bank and Claude-Ann Sant Fournier are currently facing charges of alleged money laundering activities.

Repubblika said that Gafa had received an order from the investigating magistrate to conduct investigations against the bank 15 months ago, which include the six persons associated with him, as well as the owner of the bank.

It said that Gafa failed to conduct investigations against all persons involved despite the magistrate's order and despite the fact that “the investigation identified crimes of money laundering, trading in influence, criminal association, false statements to public authority and the constitution, and the organization and financing of an association with a view to committing criminal offenses.”

The NGO continued that it had lodged official complaints several times during the year, including initiating proceedings against the commissioner in court to force him to take action.

“It is shocking that this morning the Commissioner of Police informs the public that the police will only now issue international arrest warrants on this case. This step is being taken too late and is being done because the Commissioner is being forced to do his duty by civil society. All this is unacceptable,” the statement read.