Omar Caruana has been appointed European Prosecutor for Malta within the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, taking on a role that places him at the center of the European Union’s efforts to investigate and prosecute crimes affecting the EU’s financial interests. The EPPO, an independent EU body, is responsible for handling cases of fraud, corruption, money laundering, and cross-border VAT fraud involving EU funds, and Caruana will represent Malta in the College of European Prosecutors while overseeing investigations and prosecutions linked to the country.
His appointment strengthens Malta’s participation in the Union’s justice framework and ensures that cases with a Maltese connection are pursued with the same legal tools and cooperation mechanisms available across participating member states. Caruana brings extensive experience in criminal law and prosecution, which will be applied to complex financial investigations that often span multiple jurisdictions and require close coordination with national authorities, Europol, Eurojust, and other EU agencies.
The role involves supervising European Delegated Prosecutors in Malta who carry out day-to-day investigative and courtroom work, while Caruana provides strategic direction and ensures consistency with EPPO standards. The appointment underscores the importance of tackling crimes that damage the EU budget, as effective enforcement protects taxpayer money and reinforces the rule of law. For Malta, having a European Prosecutor in the EPPO College means direct input into prosecutorial policy, case prioritization, and the development of best practices for cross-border financial crime. Caruana’s tenure is expected to focus on building operational capacity, improving information exchange between Maltese authorities and the EPPO, and contributing to a more robust, unified response to fraud affecting the Union.
