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4 NEWS 4 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 2 APRIL 2025 Daniel Joe Meli granted bail while facing extradition to the US PN raises alarm over rise in home thefts across Malta and Gozo Meli is wanted by the US, accused of selling malware on the dark web MAYA GALEA mgalea@mediatoday.com.mt Yorgen Fenech Yorgen Fenech told police of pardon offer after learning Melvin Theuma was granted a presidential pardon CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 On Tuesday afternoon, Assistant Police Commissioner Keith Arnaud testified that Keith Schembri was mentioned for the first time when murder middleman Melvin Theuma was arrested, and during subsequent investigations. He recounted how on the day of Theuma's arrest, a box of recordings was seized and in it, a photo of Theuma and Schembri was discovered. When Yorgen Fenech was informed that Theuma was granted a presidential pardon, he insisted to the police officers that Schembri had also promised him a pardon, Arnaud said. The assistant commissioner also confirmed that Keith Schembri's name was never mentioned during the investigations relating to the leaking of information related to the arrest of the Degiorgio brothers in connection with the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia. The court was presided over by Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit. Lawyers Mark Vassallo and Edward Gatt represented Schembri. The prosecution was led by Superintendent Hubert Cini and Inspector Shaun Friggieri. Lawyers Jason Azzopardi and Therese Comodini Cachia appeared parte civile. DANIEL Joe Meli was grant- ed bail by the courts as he faces proceedings in order to be ex- tradited to the United states for alleged malware dealings on the dark web. Meli 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 remotely accesses computers without the victims' knowledge. He initially agreed to be ex- tradited to the US, but later challenged it by filing an appeal and a constitutional case since a certain law was later amended, which granted individuals facing extradition more reflection time. The charges Meli would face in the US each provide for a sen- tence of up to five years in pris- on. The court took into considera- tion the fact that Meli's devices have been seized and that his parents offered to act as third party guarantors if their son was to be granted bail. The Court acceded to the re- quest and granted bail against an €8,000 deposit and €20,000 personal guarantee. Several oth- er bail conditions were imposed, including a curfew and signing a bail book everyday. The magistrate also also or- dered Meli's parents to provide a third party guarantee for him in the amount of €5,000 each. Magistrate Leonard Caruana presided over the sitting. AG lawyers Sean Xerri de Ca- ro and Daphne Baldacchino prosecuted, assisted by Super- intendent Mario Cuschieri and Inspector Robinson Mifsud. Lawyers Arthur Azzopardi, Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri assisted Meli. Daniel Meli consented to being extradited to the US on charges relating to the sale of sophisticated spyware THE Nationalist Party has raised concerns over the rise in home burglaries across Malta and Gozo, stressing the government must prioritise security both at private and public spaces. "The government must explain how it intends to safeguard its citizens, especially in light of re- cent reports," Shadow Minister for Home Affairs Darren Car- abott said during a press confer- ence in Swieqi on Tuesday. Carabott urged the govern- ment to present a clear, trans- parent plan to address the situ- ation, stressing that security is not a luxury but a fundamental necessity. He highlighted the "unease felt by residents", calling out the lack of safety a growing issue. "Security in our homes and streets must be a priority for the government," Carabott said. The Swieqi local council is working closely with the police to address the rising concerns the locality's mayor Noel Muscat said. He suggested the installa- tion of modern surveillance sys- tems, including security cameras at strategic locations, as a deter- rent to criminal activity. Muscat also noted that robbers had adapted their tactics and timing, emphasising the impor- tance of authorities staying one step ahead. The PN outlined several pro- posals aimed at tackling the surge in home burglaries, in- cluding the reopening of police stations to encourage reporting, increasing patrols, and boosting police visibility in areas most af- fected by the crimes. It was also pointed out that such incidents have led to in- creased anxiety and long-lasting psychological distress, including depression. "It is a human right to enjoy one's property in peace and live serenely with one's family," PN MP Albert Buttigieg said. Buttigieg claimed many elder- ly individuals now feel uneasy about leaving their homes, fear- ing they could be targeted while running errands. With over 20,000 elderly peo- ple living alone in Malta and Gozo, PN MP Paula Mifsud Bon- nici criticised the government for its failure to apply security measures, such as night shelters for older adults. "While encouraging elderly people to remain in their homes, the government is failing to give them peace of mind," she said. The PN representatives called for immediate action to restore public confidence and ensure the safety of communities across Malta and Gozo. They empha- sised that security measures must go beyond crime preven- tion, also addressing the emo- tional well-being of victims. JULIANA ZAMMIT jzammit@mediatoday.com.mt Press conference addressed by the Shadow Ministers Darren Carabott, Albert Buttigieg and Paula Mifsud Bonnici, alongside Swieqi Mayor Noel Muscat, regarding the wave of thefts from private homes. (Photo: PN FB)