Civil society NGO Repubblika has asked the courts to join the criminal court cases tied to the Vitals inquiry as an injured party.

Former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, former Minister Konrad Mizzi, former OPM Chief of Staff Keith Schembri and others have been summoned to appear in front of the criminal court on 28 May over the Vitals inquiry related charges.

A separate set of charges was also issued against Former government ministers Chris Fearne and Edward Scicluna, as well as others, who will be charged in court on 29 May.

The charges were issued following the conclusion of a magisterial inquiry, which had been launched following criminal complaints filed by Repubblika back in 2019.

The hospitals deal had seen three of Malta's hospitals - the St Luke's, Gozo General and Karin Grech hospitals - transferred to Vitals Global Healthcare. The concession as later passed on to Steward Health Care.

Last year, a court case initiated by PN MP Adrian Delia, annulled the deal in a judgement mentioning fraud. The court decision was confirmed on appeal, in a judgement that mentioned collusion.