MALTA ALLOWS SUSPECTED ASSASSIN OF BRITISH INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST TO FLEE WHILST ON APPEAL FROM A CONVICTION INVOLVING EXPLOSIVES

If you wanted an example of how the criminal justice system is broken in the Republic of Malta, here is a classic textbook case. JOMIC CALLEJA MAATOUK, convicted of importing explosives and of attempting to purchase poisons, including POLONIUM, has skipped out on his conviction and five-year sentence. Malta's criminal-friendly laws, which intentionally favour its own Mafia, actually allows freedom pending appeal, through a legal loophole regularly exploited by the country's career criminals, including those convicted of violent acts. Maatouk has failed to report, as required by his bond, together with his domestic partner, has fled the country and is missing.

Maatouk is the prime suspect in the Montenegro poisoning of the late British investigative journalist BARRY RANDALL, who was reportedly following up on leads supplied to him by DAPHNE CARUANA GALIZIA, herself later assassinated for her extensive investigation into systemic corruption in Malta, especially the "Godfather" role played by the former prime minister, JOSEPH MUSCAT. Mr. Randall made a covert trip to explore information he received from Daphne, under conditions of strict secrecy, during which time he allegedly was poisoned by Maatouk and his crew, subsequently passing away in the United States. It is believed that he was administered Polonium in Montenegro, had to flee the country whilst seriously ill.

Maatouk's culpability in the Randall murder has never been reported in Maltese media, giving rise to the presumption that the story was censored by the ruling Labour Party, which controls the press through the threat of withholding lucrative government advertising assignments. Muscat's covert control over all aspects of Maltese life insures that the truth about organized crime does not appear in the media. Whether Maatouk will ever be detained abroad, and extradited, remains an open question.