Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1513064
2 NEWS maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 13 DECEMBER 2023 2 FORMER Prime Minister Jo- seph Muscat has once again cast doubts on the ongoing magiste- rial inquiry regarding the fraud- ulent hospitals deal, saying he has, "no faith in the inquiry." On Tuesday, MaltaToday asked Muscat for his reaction after the Nationalist Party's justice spokesperson Karol Aq- uilina questioned government's fast-tracking of amendments to the legal framework regulating freezing orders, while hinting at Muscat. "It's a sign that the Nation- alist Party knows something that I don't," Muscat said, add- ing that he believes that the amendments are the result of a number of cases government had lost in the past. Revisiting his lack of faith in institutions, Muscat claimed that, "The fact that some pol- iticians say that Joseph Muscat will be arraigned reaffirms my doubts and suspicions about the ongoing magisterial inquiry that I have no faith in." When asked if he believes that the legal amendments in ques- tion are being rushed given that Parliament will soon close for the holidays, Muscat stated that he doesn't even know what the amendments include. "I cannot comment on the timing of the amendments be- cause I'm not privy to the dis- cussions," Muscat said. Appeasing people Earlier on Tuesday, Oppoi- tion leader Bernard Grech said government is trying to ap- pease people accused of cor- ruption through its fast-track- ing of amendments to the legal framework regulating freezing orders. The PN leader was respond- ing to MaltaToday's questions regarding PN MP Karol Aqui- lina's speech in Parliament on Monday, where he questioned who the government is trying to protect, hinting at former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. The new Act in question pro- poses a common procedure that ensures the proportionality of garnishee orders, freezing or- ders and confiscation orders in money laundering proceedings. Responding to MaltaToday's questions, Grech stated that government is in fact trying to appease people accused of cor- ruption, but stopped short of mentioning Muscat by name. Grech went on to state that during the past decade, govern- ment has made it its mission to prevent any politician from facing justice for their crimes. Despite the PN's suspicions of the amendments, Grech noted that his party does not oppose changing the law, even as the courts themselves have pointed towards the need for change. Grech concluded by say- ing, "We expect that everyone agrees that politicians cannot be corrupt and get away with it. At the end of the day, the law should apply for everyone." Muscat on freezing orders: 'PN knows something I don't' Former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat believes amendments are a result of a number of cases government had lost in the past after Karol Aquilina questions government's fast-tracking of amendments to the legal framework regulating freezing orders Bernard Grech (right) said government is trying to appease people accused of corruption, but stopped short of mentioning Joseph Muscat (left) by name, despite MP Karol Aquilina hinting at the former Prime Minister during his parliamentary speech CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The Opposition argued that the Court of Appeal's latest judgement was a crucial fac- tor that had given the State Advocate the di- rection to intervene. That ruling named ex-Joseph Muscat, IN- DIS, the State Advocate, the CEO of the Lands Authority, and the head of its board of governors. In fact, the PN stated that since the state's interests outweighed those of individual gov- ernment members, such as those whom the court determined to have failed in the hos- pitals' deal, the State Advocate's decision to take action should not be delayed to obtain the Prime Minister's or any other govern- ment official's approval. Highlighting the nature of the State Advo- cate's role, the Opposition referred to par- liamentary debates in 2019 during the en- actment of the law establishing the division between the Attorney General's and the State Advocate's Offices. These debates served as evidence that the State Advocate's responsi- bilities extended beyond mere advisory func- tions concerning the government. Meanwhile, PN MP Adrian Delia stated that during the past 10 months, no one has shoul- dered responsibility, as government is insist- ing that no action be taken on the matter. Lawyer Edward Debono accompanied the PN for this case. PN wants court to affirm State Advocate's duty to recover funds given to Steward MATTHEW FARRUGIA mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt