Justice Minister Jonathan Attard on Wednesday denied a claim by former Nationalist MP Jason Azzopardi that the police and the Attorney General were 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 an email to The Malta Independent, more than 24 hours after the story was published online, the Minister for Justice said he “categorically denies that he gave any instruction as alleged in the article”.

“The AG has and will always act independently and without any political influence. It is not the role of the Minister to investigate and prosecute,” the minister said.

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