Lawyers representing disgraced former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat have contested the €30 million freezing order imposed on him.

The asset freeze was imposed during criminal proceedings in connection with the Vitals Global Healthcare scandal.

His lawyers argue that the amount should be based on the €60,000 mentioned in the inquiry.

In a sitting held earlier today before madam justice Edwina Grima, Muscat’s counsel demanded that the prosecution provide clear evidence for the higher figure.

Muscat's lawyers, Edward Gatt, Mark Vassallo and Shaun Zammit, pointed out that earlier this week, a similar situation with Sciacca Grill had resulted in the lifting of the freezing order against that company. In that case, Magistrate Rachel Montebello had ruled that there was insufficient evidence to justify the charges against it, leading to the company being discharged.

The lawyers argued that the same standard should apply to Muscat's case.

Additionally, lawyers representing Adrian Hillman, who is facing charges of fraud and money laundering, argued that there is no documentary evidence against him and that Hillman had been targeted based on his association with Keith Schembri. The defence lawyers for Keith Schembri, Konrad Mizzi, and the companies FSV and Kasco Engineering echoed this sentiment, stating that the magisterial inquiry was “based on assumptions” and lacked concrete evidence.

The lawyers called for a reassessment of the evidence, urging the Court to revoke the freezing orders should the prosecution fail to substantiate the amounts and accusations.