Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/352862
Newspaper post maltatoday YOUR FIRST READ AND FIRST CLICK OF THE DAY WWW.MALTATODAY.COM.MT CONTINUES PAGE 15 INTERVIEW • 12-13 Former Maltese ambassador to Libya Joseph Cassar COMMENT ON SUNDAY PAGE 18 • Saviour Balzan on the powerlessness to influence world events, dictatorial stability, and government arrogance LIARS! SUNDAY • 27 JULY 2014 • ISSUE 768 • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY MATTHEW VELLA A police investigation requested by the government into suggestions by Nation- alist MP Jason Azzopardi of whether "commissions" were paid to pay the owners of the Café Premier i€4.2 mil- lion to vacate the premises, has been concluded. But the Lands Department has re- jected for the second time a Freedom of Information request by MaltaToday, claiming that documents requested on the Premier bailout are exempt "due to an ongoing police investigation". The reason for refusal was belied by a source close to the police investigation, who told MaltaToday the investigation had been concluded after a statement made by Azzopardi. On his part, Azzopardi confirmed that he made it clear to the investigating of- ficer that he had not suggested any form of criminal activity. "However, even if a fact does not amount to a crime, it doesn't follow that it is politically acceptable... rhe total lack of transparency in the Labour govern- ment's decision to cancel court action against Cities Entertainment Ltd after its election to power, forking out €4.2 million in tax money instead of court action to rescind the deed, is neither good governance nor value for public money. "If the police investigation is over, then nothing should stop government from coming clean on its deal with to can- cel court action. The media should be granted access to all the files to view the valuations and their authors, the time- lines involved and all the relevant Land Department minutes." GALEA 'IS ALIVE', LIBYA'S BURNING Café Premier investigation concluded but Lands refuses FOI request GALEA 'IS ALIVE', Libya clashes • Maltese urged to leave country Why is government so secretive about €400,000 spend? PG 9 CALLEJA FOR THE MASSES Maltese abductee Martin Galea in Libya 'is alive' according to unverified reports • United States evacuates embassy staff, EU envoys call for ceasefire amid worsening clashes around Tripoli PAGES 3,4,5 and BACK €1.20