Former Nationalist MP Jason Azzopardi has claimed that the police and the Attorney General have been instructed not to proceed against Agriculture Minister Anton Refalo on the presence of a British era stone marker in the garden of his Qala house.

In a post on Facebook, Azzopardi said that sources have informed him that enough proof existed for the minister to be charged in court.

In May 2022, Refalo was questioned by police inspectors responsible for investigation of crimes against heritage.

Azzopardi claims that the AG has the responsibility to issue charges which could lead to up to six years in prison.

The former MP said that Refalo was asked to resign but he refused to do so. Azzopardi claimed that during a Cabinet meeting, Refalo purportedly said he was willing to say why “others around the table” – meaning other ministers – should resign.

In the light of this, the Justice Minister directed the AG and the police not to proceed against Refalo and two other accomplices.

Azzopardi said that anyone who is accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty, but nobody is above the law.