Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1521306
10 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 26 MAY 2024 EWROPEJ We're publishing the Vitals inquiry – here's what you need to know MALTATODAY is publish- ing the full proces-verbal of the magisterial inquiry into the Vitals hospitals deal. It's a 1,200-page document, and we're here to guide you through what the inquiry contains and the im- plications of its findings. What is this document exactly? This document, known as the proces-verbal, is the magis- trate's conclusions on the inves- tigation based on evidence and testimony. This is the document that is usually sent to the Attor- ney General for further action. What's in it? At face value, there's informa- tion on the technical experts involved, objects seized dur- ing police searches, and most importantly, the magistrate's findings based on evidence ob- tained. There is also some back- ground to the concession and preliminary observations. To- wards the end of the document are the recommended charges. Does this include all evidence in the case? A lot of evidence is put in var- ious appendices which are not included in the document, so the inquiry document itself does not constitute all the evidence in the magistrate's hands, the At- torney General or police. What this document does include is the findings of the magistrate given the evidence in hand, i.e. the magistrate's conclusions. Who is mentioned in the inquiry? Lots and lots of people, from personal assistants to conces- sion fraud masterminds. How- ever, the 'key players' identified in the inquiry (page 1076) are: Joseph Muscat, Keith Schem- bri, Konrad Mizzi, Chris Fearne, Chris Cardona, Edward Sciclu- na, Ronald Mizzi, Shaukat Ali, Ram Tumuluri, Mark Pawley, Armin Ernst, Ivan Vassallo. These together with: Nexia BT, Brian Tonna, Karl Cini, Manuel Castagna, Mario Gatt, Christo- pher Spiteri, Accutor AG, Wa- say Batti, Kevin Deguara, David Meli, Deborah Chappell. Is everyone mentioned in the document guilty of wrongdoing? No. The people mentioned in the document range from key players that may have done something criminal, to peo- ple who simply gave testimony or presented evidence. Some names might have simply been mentioned in passing while tes- tifying in front of the magistrate. Has the magistrate found anyone to be guilty? No. In a magisterial inquiry, the magistrate collects all the evidence and then makes rec- ommendations on whether an- yone should be accused, and if so, on what basis. This does not mean that the persons are automatically guilty of wrong- doing. Then it is up to the At- torney General to determine how to go forward. The AG has decided in this case to charge everyone recommended by the magistrate without seeking to carry out further investigations. Indeed, none of those charged were interrogated by the police and charges were filed through summons. Why are you publishing the inquiry? You can read more about why we're doing this in our editorial.