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A Maltese court has rejected Repubblika’s challenge to have Pilatus Bank officials charged, citing insufficient evidence to order prosecution. This decision comes after Repubblika, a civil society group, filed an application calling on the courts to order the police to prosecute Pilatus Bank following the conclusion of a magisterial inquiry. The inquiry had found evidence of money laundering and criminal association, but the Police Commissioner argued that Repubblika’s request did not satisfy the rigorous legal requisites necessary for such a challenge to succeed.
The court’s decision is based on the fact that challenge proceedings, as envisaged under Article 541 of the Criminal Code, are only applicable in specific cases laid out in the law. The Police Commissioner emphasised that such proceedings are “extraordinary” in nature and should only be applied in exceptional circumstances. Despite the court’s rejection, Repubblika’s efforts to bring Pilatus Bank officials to justice highlight the ongoing concerns about corruption and money laundering in Malta.
Repubblika’s challenge was based on the findings of a magisterial inquiry, which suggested that Pilatus Bank was involved in criminal activity, including possible trading in influence between the bank’s chairman, Ali Sadr, and former Office of the Prime Minister chief of staff, Keith Schembri. However, the court’s decision indicates that more evidence is needed to pursue prosecution.
