Request by David Casa and Simon Busuttil for copy of 17 Black inquiry rejected by AG

A request by former Nationalist Party Leader Simon Busuttil and PN MEP David Casa for a copy of the 17 Black Magisterial inquiry report was rejected by the Attorney General, Casa wrote on social media.The news broke last week that the inquiry into 17

By: independent.com.mt

Jan 07 2025
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The news broke last week that the inquiry into 17 Black and the Panama Papers had concluded, and that several individuals, including former Minister Konrad Mizzi, the former Prime Minister's Chief of Staff Keith Schembri, Yorgen Fenech and others are to face charges.

Leaked emails that had emerged years ago had shown that 17 Black was to allegedly become one of the main sources of funds for the Panama companies that were owned by Schembri and Mizzi.

The Nationalist Party has called on the Attorney General to make the inquiry public. On Sunday, Prime Minister Robert Abela said he believes the inquiry, and all other such inquiries, should be public, but remarked that the conclusions of the inquiry should be published on the request of the Attorney General, and not through the PN's demands.

"The Attorney General has just refused my request and that of Simon Busuttil to be given a copy of the 17 Black inquiry, citing the excuse of the eventual prosecution of those identified by the Inquiring Magistrate," Casa wrote.

He went on to condemn the decision on the grounds that "the people have the right to know all the details of the betrayal and theft of their own money." He added that the institutions should proceed with "absolute" transparency in order to regain the faith "which they lost so many years ago."

Casa also reminded that the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia had occurred shortly after she revealed the existence of 17 Black. He went on to appeal for the inquiry to be published "immediately."

PN Leader Bernard Grech also posted on social media saying that not only did Attorney General Victoria Buttigieg not publish the inquiry as requested by the PN, but is refusing to pass on a copy to those who opened the inquiry. "If it wasn't for former PN Leader Simon Busuttil and MEP David Casa, this inquiry would not have occurred, as the Police Commissioner and Attorney General did nothing. The PN will continue insisting for the AG to publish the whole inquiry without delay, as she has an obligation to publish it immediately."