[BREAKING] Criminal charges filed in connection to hospitals inquiry

The police have issued criminal charges against 19 individuals in connection to the Vitals Global Healthcare inquiry this afternoon.

MaltaToday understands that former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, his chief of staff Keith Schembri and former minister Konrad Mizzi are amongst those facing criminal charges.

A number of sources have confirmed this development to MaltaToday.

In separate comments to this newspaper, former President of NGO Repubblika, Notary Robert Aquilina, also confirmed that criminal charges have been filed against the persons indicated by the inquiring magistrate.

Aquilina said that the NGO was informed by email from the Attorney General’s office on Monday.

It is understood that the 19 defendants are to be arraigned by summons and not under arrest.

Lawyer Jason Azzopardi, who is representing the NGO in the case, announced on Facebook that charges have been filed against Muscat, Mizzi and Schembri.

“This is a new chapter for our country,” he said.

Magistrate Gabriella Vella, who was investigating the sale of three public hospitals to Vitals Global Healthcare, concluded her report and passed it on to the Attorney General last week.

The inquiry was initiated in 2019 on Repubblika’s initiative.

Joseph Muscat had tried to remove the magistrate from the inquiry, insisting she had a conflict because her relatives were publicly critical of him. He also complained of constant leaks from the inquiry and decried the magistrate’s refusal to let him testify before her.

In January 2022, as part of the inquiry, police officers searched Muscat’s Burmarrad home and ceased several electronic devices.

Muscat told reporters on Tuesday that he had no doubt he will be charged as he adopted a defiant tone. He insisted he did nothing wrong and would fight the charges tooth and nail.

NGO Repubblika said on Monday they filed a written request to the AG to pass on the full magisterial inquiry.