Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1529555
3 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 20 NOVEMBER 2024 NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The Prime Ministser had previously ruled out a revi- sion to Malta's local plans. However, Abela now says that the government should not "shy away from making difficult decisions". During the conference, Abela mentioned three key themes that he says aligns with government priorities: enhancing quality in con- struction, establishing a stra- tegic vision, and reducing the negative impacts of de- velopment on communities. He said that economic growth should not solely fo- cus on expansion but must also improve the quality of life for citizens. "There will be some who would argue that some properties that are now within the development zone should be taken out of the development zone. I be- lieve that many developers and many families wouldn't agree with that view," he explained. Abela also announced that people wishing to retire will have the opportunity to continue sharing their expertise with younger generations. These retirees will receive compensation alongside their pensions for their teaching efforts. "To enable our country to successfully achieve a leap in quality, we need a construction industry with more advanced skills," he said, mentioning the intro- duction of skill cards for workers in the industry. Abela said that Mal- ta's construction industry needs to change and ac- quire more advanced skills if the country is to take a leap towards 'quality'. Planning Minister Clint Camilleri refrained from discussing potential chang- es to local plans during the event. Instead, he said that "Malta's planning laws would prioritise projects aimed at enhancing quality of life". 'We need a construction industry with more advanced skills' Photo: DOI DANIEL Meli, 27, has been re- manded in custody after being charged with selling hacking tools and training criminals in their use, with US authorities seeking his extradition. After initially consenting to ex- tradition, he had appealed, claim- ing he was not of sound mind. A newly amended law prompted a rehearing, which resulted in Meli being remanded in custody. He was arrested in Malta on 7 February 2024 for allegedly sell- ing and training criminals in the use of Warzone, a Remote Ac- cess Trojan (RAT) software that bypasses security systems and re- motely accesses computers with- out the victims' knowledge. In February 2022, Meli had sold a RAT for $180 in Bitcoin to an FBI online covert employee from Georgia. From then onwards, the FBI tracked his operations, one of several in a global anti-cyber- crime investigation that spread as far as Australia. The charges Meli would face in the US are conspiracy, obtaining unauthorised access to protected computers to obtain information, illegally selling an interception device, and illegally advertising an interception device, each pro- vide for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of causing unau- thorised damage to protected computers provides for a sen- tence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. After a legal amendment ap- proved unanimously by parlia- ment allowing lawyers for Meli to appeal proceedings despite him first consenting to the ex- tradition. Meli's case was to be reheard in the lower courts. On 19 November 2024, Law- yer Franco Debono, part of the defence counsel, stated that the accused has ties within the com- munity, and referenced to ac- cused's mother and father who were present in Court. Debono dismissed fears over the tamper- ing of evidence. The prosecution mentioned how the acts that the accused committed carry hefty penalties. At this state, the prosecution ob- jected to the accused's bail. Lawyer Arthur Azzopardi counter-argued disagreed with the prosecution, asking, "Where are the fears of the tampering of evidence?" He further mentioned the ties Meli has with the com- munity. The Court, presided by Magis- trate Leonard Caruana, declined the defence's request for the re- lease of Meli from his arrest, and thus Meli was remanded in cus- tody. This is an ongoing case. Superintendent Mario Cus- chieri and inspector Robinson Mifsud, alongside lawyer Shaun Scerri De Carlo and Daphne Bal- dacchino representing the Attor- ney General led the prosecution. Daniel John Meli was assisted by lawyers Franco Debono and Arthur Azzopardi. Daniel Meli remanded in custody as extradition case reheard after legal amendment JORDAN PACE jpace@mediatoday.com.mt Daniel Meli