Government denies legal amendments weaken institutions

The Ministry of Justice has rebutted claims made by the Nationalist Party that legal amendments on the freezing of assets have weakened the country's institutions.It was referring to a statement issued by the PN saying Justice Minister Jonathan Attar

By: independent.com.mt

Oct 28 2024
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Government denies legal amendm

The Ministry of Justice has rebutted claims made by the Nationalist Party that legal amendments on the freezing of assets have weakened the country's institutions.

It was referring to a statement issued by the PN saying Justice Minister Jonathan Attard and Attorney General Victoria Buttigieg should resign after it was reported that a freezing order against Yorgen Fenech has been lifted "due to the(ir) severe failings".

Without entering into the merits of individual cases, the ministry said that the amendments regarding the illicit profits from crime allow institutions to determine the extent of such gains so as to establish the amount of assets to be frozen. This is determined by the courts, the ministry said.

The amendments were made to enable to courts to be more proportionate in their freezing orders, according to critera established in the European Court of Human Rights which are referred to by Maltese courts.