Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1531391
2 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 12 JANUARY 2025 NEWS KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt After triggering the 17 Black inquiry, Simon Busuttil Former Opposition leader Simon Busuttil, Nationalist MEP David Casa, and Matthew Caruana Galizia discuss Malta's "fragile court system", "extreme corruption", and the long road to justice following the 17 Black and Panama Papers revelations THE 17 Black and Panama Pa- pers magisterial inquiry has con- cluded, recommending criminal action against former govern- ment executives, businesspeople and companies. However, those who triggered the investigation feel this is just the start of a long road to justice. "The inquiry conclusion is just the first step in the criminal pro- cess," former Opposition and Nationalist leader Simon Busut- til told MaltaToday. Busuttil, a backbencher at the time, and Nationalist MEP David Casa, had filed a request for a magisteri- al inquiry into 17 Black and the Panama Papers revelations. After a protracted legal battle their request was accepted by the courts, which meant this was the first time that this mysterious company was going to be investi- gated criminally. In 2016, slain journalist Daph- ne Caruana Galizia reported that then-energy minister Konrad Mizzi and the prime minister's chief of staff, Keith Schembri, owned secret companies in Pana- ma. Subsequent investigations re- vealed that these companies were slated to receive payments from 17 Black, a Dubai firm owned by businessman Yorgen Fenech. The Panama Papers leak ex- posed the global use of offshore tax havens, implicating numer- ous high-profile individuals and entities. In Malta, the revelations centred on Mizzi and Schembri's offshore structures and their fi- nancial dealings with 17 Black. Emails uncovered during the investigation indicated that 17 Black was expected to transfer substantial sums to Mizzi's and Schembri's Panamanian compa- nies, raising suspicions of corrup- tion and money laundering. The inquiry, led by Magistrate Charmaine Galea, was present- ed to the Attorney General late last month. While the specific charges have not been publicly disclosed, the inquiry's findings suggest serious legal repercus- sions for the individuals involved. Hopeful but sceptical When asked if he felt vindicated following the announcement that criminal action would be tak- en against Schembri and Mizzi, Busuttil stated that he did not. "This is not about Simon Busut- til or Daphne Caruana Galizia being vindicated; this is about seeking justice. We have just wit- nessed the first step in the crimi- nal process," the former Nation- alist leader said. Matthew Caruana Galizia, Daphne's son, does feel vindi- cated to some extent but is still sceptical of Malta's "weak and fragile" court system. "I do feel vindicated, but I am also aware that this is the start of another chapter," Caruana Galizia told MaltaToday. "I have hope, but it is difficult for me to have that hope given that Malta's fragile and weak justice system has failed people so many times." David Casa voiced his frustra- tion over the long period it took for the inquiry to be concluded. "I'm furious that it has taken this long to reach this milestone because the evidence has been in the public domain for many years now – not least because of the FIAU report I published," he told MaltaToday. He also stated that the legal team prosecuting the alleged criminals had additional respon- sibilities in handling the case. "Faith in the institutions is at rock bottom. Everyone involved in obtaining justice for the Mal- tese people should keep that in mind and do everything possible to ensure justice is not derailed and sabotaged further," Casa said. 'No 17 Black, no assassination' – Matthew Caruana Galizia When questioned about links between 17 Black and the assas- sination of his mother, Caruana Galizia was adamant that the murder would not have taken place had the journalist not ex- posed details about the compa- ny. "I believe wholeheartedly that it led to her assassination. No 17 Black, no assassination," he said. He also slammed the 2013 La- Simon Busuttil David Casa