Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1546635
16 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 20 SEPTEMBER 2026 FEATURE proceeds of crime law was shelved in 2021 over reported disagreement within government. The Opposition has consistently supported the introduction of UWOs and is making a similar recommendation in an omnibus bill it will present to parliament in October 2026. 2. HINDERING CRIME INVESTIGATION: A specific crime is introduced when a person holding a public position hinders or attempts to hinder the po- lice or other authorities in the execu- tion of their duties including crime investigations. STATUS: UNIMPLEMENTED The Opposition is recommending the introduction of a specific offence for obstruction of justice in an omni- bus bill it will present to parliament in October 2026. It is also proposing criminal consequences for public of- ficials, who, deliberately and without valid justification, refuse or fail to perform their duty. 3. MAFIA LAW: The necessity to introduce a crime similar to Article 416 bis of the Ital- ian Criminal Code that deals with the crime of "mafia-style association". STATUS: UNIMPLEMENTED On the contrary, in January 2022, Prime Minister Robert Abela accused the Opposition of wanting to recog- nise Malta as a mafia state to paralyse the economy and instil fear by pro- posing such legislation. In its latest set of proposals, the Opposition, is proposing making participation in a mafia-type criminal association a specific offence. 4. ABUSE OF OFFICE: Introduce in the Maltese Criminal Code a new crime of abuse of office, which is committed by a public offi- cial or a person in charge of a public service in the execution of their duty or in the exercise of their functions. STATUS: UNIMPLEMENTED No such specific crime exists and in January 2025, in the wake of criminal action that was underway against for- mer civil service officials in relation to the Vitals hospitals scandal, Prime Minister Robert Abela had indicat- ed his intention to pass legislation that would protect public officers from lengthy court cases. Eventually, when the bill was tabled in parlia- ment months after, the government climbed down from its original inten- tion limiting the protection afforded to public officers to personal liability in civil cases. The Opposition's om- nibus bill, slated for October, is ex- pected to include a proposal to intro- duce a new offence of abuse of public authority. The offence would apply when an official breaches a specific rule governing a function, where the law does not allow discretion. 5. AG REFORM: The Attorney General law ought to be revised in order to fully imple- ment the recommendations of the Venice Commission in regard to the full control of the investigation of se- rious crimes together with the police as well as to initiate an investigation directly. STATUS: IMPLEMENTED The Attorney General is only respon- sible for prosecutions after the gov- ernment advisory role was hived off into the newly-created State Advo- cate office in 2019. Further changes meant that prosecutions of serious crimes are now led by the AG togeth- er with the police. 6. OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE: Introduce the crime of obstruction of justice in criminal law, similar to the obstruction of justice in several overseas codes. This would include appropriate sentences which also cover the attempt for perversion of justice. STATUS: UNIMPLEMENTED The Opposition is recommending the introduction of a specific offence for obstruction of justice in an omni- bus bill it will present to parliament in October 2026. The inquiry's 10 key reforms and < CONTINUES FROM PREVIOUS PAGE People present followed speeches at Great Siege Square (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday) Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday