ANALYSIS ASSERTS THAT PRIME MINISTER ORDERED NOLLE PROSSE FOR TWO GUILTY MONEY LAUNDERING PILATUS BANK OFFICIALS

A new book, published by the leader of the anti-corruption NGO Repubblika, Robert Acquilina, alleges that Malta's Prime Minister, ROBERT ABELA, personally ordered his country's Attorney General to enter a Nolle Prosse, a notice that there would be no prosecution, of two senior Pilatus Bank officials, notwithstanding that a magistrate had already ordered their indictment on money laundering and other criminal charges.The claim, which in essence shows that the Rule of Law is trumped by rampant official corruption in Malta, reinforces the commonly-held belief in the EU that the island nation is fatally infected, and is to be avoided by legitimate investors, at all costs.

The 750-page book, entitled Pilatus: A Laundromat Bank in Europe, charges that PM Abela had been the family lawyer for senior Pilatus Bank Risk Manager ANTONIELLA GAUCI, and her family were Labour Party supporters and behind-the-scenes voting manipulators. Also Gauci is said to have personal knowledge of massive corruption in Malta's government. Both Gauci and Operations Supervisor MEHMET TASLI, have never been charged in Malta, notwithstanding the magistrate's order, and the Statute of Limitations fast approaches, making prosecution impossible at a later date.

Emails included in the text show that the Malta Police were ordered by senior law enforcement officers to manufacture evidence to support the ruling of the AG, VICTORIA BUTTIGIEG, obviously acting on Abela's orders. Compliance officers at financial institutions located in the European Union should take this case into account when calculating Country Risk for Malta, which now should be raised to a level where any financial relationship, investment or opportunity is too dangerous to undertake, and funds transfers into and from Malta should not be approved, for any purpose.