The Opposition has called for the resignation of Justice Minister Jonathan Attard and the Attorney General following a court ruling lifting the freeze on Yorgen Fenech’s assets.
A notice on the Asset Recovery Bureau’s website, reported by The Times of Malta on Monday, shows that Judge Edwina Grima, who will preside over Fenech’s eventual trial, cancelled the freezing order earlier this month.
Fenech’s assets were frozen in 2019 after he was accused of being complicit in the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.
Shadow minister Karol Aquilina said the decision was the result of “wrong” legislation the minister passed through parliament. The legislation placed the burden on the Attorney General to quantify the amount of assets that should be frozen, depending on the crime.
In Fenech’s case, the information was not submitted on time, leading to the Judge’s ruling. The Opposition said this was an example of “the incompetence of the Attorney General”.
The legislation followed a number of cases in which government members were accused of money laundering.
The PN had warned the legislation was rushed.
The Opposition said Justice Minister Jonathan Attard and Attorney General Victoria Buttigieg should carry responsibility.
“If Victoria Buttigieg does not resign, she will be abusing the independence afforded to her, and her failures will continue to weaken the Office of the Attorney General and the administration of justice,” the Opposition said.
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One reasonably wonders how Dr. Victoria Buttigieg, the current Attorney General, now has the courage to face the public – with the whole series of mistakes and oversights committed by her Office these past months.
The only honourable way out for her appears that she should resign – without further titubation.
When did Victoria Buttigieg ever face the public?
In this country, nothing is done without purpose.
Pajjiz ta’ nejk u korrot !
Mistakes or intentional either way Incompetent as this is happening to much especially with the connected?
It is all intentional incompetence, expected and delivered. In my opinion.
Fil fehma tieghi dawn MHUMIEX ZBALJI XEJN IMMA SARU BI SKOP MALIN GHAX FORSI YORGEN QED JEDDED LI JIKXEF XI RAS KBIRA ????
it was already known, make people forget and in the end do not condemn people, we are Malta and these people can do what they want, while the government increases your salary by 8 euros a week ahahahah