The prosecution of a former prime minister, several of his ministers, senior state authority officials, and other associates, is unprecedented, yet the Attorney General and Commissioner of Police "appear to be indifferent to the inauspicious start of proceedings and have failed to appear in court during the arraignments and hearings," the Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation said.

Criminal charges had been filed against former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, his former Chief of Staff Keith Schembri, former minister Konrad Mizzi, former Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne, and the Governor of the Central Bank Edward Scicluna, among others, over the annulled hospitals deal. They all pleaded not guilty.

The Police Commissioner, Angelo Gafa, and the Attorney General, Victoria Buttigieg, have been criticised for not being in the court room during the court cases.

"The country is at a turning point that can lead to positive change or entrenched systemic failure. The prosecution of Joseph Muscat, Keith Schembri, Konrad Mizzi, and their associates, was brought about thanks to exposure by the media, including Daphne Caruana Galizia, and the action of civil society, notably Repubblika whose legal action triggered the magisterial inquiry that has led to prosecution in the Vitals case. Their good work should not be undone by senior officials' failure to act in accordance with the demands of their office," the Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation said.

"The Commissioner of Police and the Attorney General, Malta's most senior law enforcement officials, should lead from the front to ensure that the law is enforced and that justice is served," it said.