Police commissioner described Taliana as being ‘unsuitable’ for his post

MaltaToday has published exclusive documentation from confidential police records which not only show that Inspector Elton Taliana had been investigated over an arson attack on Mediatoday managing editor Saviour Balzan's home in , but he also over his alleged close links to criminal elements and for the possession of two separate identity cards.

Taliana, formerly a security officer for seven years to former deputy prime minister Tonio Borg, has sued MaltaToday for libel in the same week that saw the police inspector eulogised by Opposition media, in the wake of the wrongful prosecution of 27-year-old Daryl Luke Borg over a hold-up in Birkirkara.

Taliana, who has sought the legal counsel of Joe Zammit Maempel - who has acted for the PN on numerous libel suits - has claimed he was never questioned over the arson, after MaltaToday stated that he had been investigated on the case.

In the confidential reports on Inspector Taliana, former police commissioner John Rizzo writes: "Confidential information reached my office that Inspector Elton Taliana has not the desirable character and suitable characteristics for the post he carries. Reliable information reveals not only that he used to work as a bouncer with the worst characters one can find in the Paceville area, but also indulges in the importation of firearms and involvement in crimes in particular arson of a residence door is mentioned to have his involvement."

When Elton Taliana was police sergeant he was also investigated, according to a police file report, for his involvement in and contact with criminal elements. Taliana was investigated after informants led the police to him. One such report, from Inspector Huber to the police HQ superintendent on 28 December 2006, reads:

"CONFIDENTIAL: Yesterday the 27th instance in your presence two persons called at this end in order to give confidential information regarding PS 302 Elton Taliana who is currently performing security driver duties with Hon. Tonio Borg.

"Informants stated that PS Taliana had befriended and was continually being seen with a notorious criminal namely [name withheld] of St Paul's Bay. On a regular basis Taliana is also being seen going to Gozo together with same Rapa. It was further stated that (name withheld) with the assistance of Taliana was behind two thefts which took place in Gozo. One of these thefts was from the residence of a priest whilst the other was from a residence in Qala and this took place whilst the residents were attending a funeral. Besides Taliana and (name withheld) also used to have in their possession a garage in Xlendi Gozo.

"It was also alleged that Taliana was acting as a certain courier from Malta to Gozo most of the times using vehicles belonging to third parties. This cocaine was being supplied to a person known as JC, and the latter had connections to the XS Xlub in Xaghra Gozo.

"Taliana was also in possession of two ID cards one denoting a residence in Gozo whilst the other had an address in Naxxar. 

"Informants further added that Taliana together with (name withheld) was regularly doing security bouncer duties at the XS Club in Gozo and also at other venues in Malta and Gozo. It was also alleged that at one such party help at a club styled Maxtura in Gozo a police inspector was present on duty and was repeatedly handed free drinks by the same sergeant.

"Besides informants further added that should we wish to take necessary action as regards the security bouncer issue a number of persons were ready to testify about this illegal part time work that Taliana was performing. They further added that Taliana would be working as a bouncer on the coming Saturday at the 30th at XS Club in Victoria.

"Referred for your information and further directions pls."

In spite of these allegations, Taliana was detailed with home affairs and remained with the home affairs minister. Tonio Borg, in a comment to newspaper l-orrizont, has said that he never heard of these investigations. It is indeed surprising that the former police commissioner, John Rizzo, never informed Tonio Borg of these investigations.

Another inclusion in a file addressed to the commissioner in 2011 by Assistant Commissioner Neil Harrison from the drugs squad reads:

"Duncan Petroni [at present being detained in Brazil on drug trafficking charges], Paschalino Cefai [detained under preventive arrest at GCF] and their crime associates, some confidential sources had mentioned that the mentioned Police Inspector Elton Taliana was covering for and helping Duncan Petroni and [name withheld] mainly in their illegal activity.

"These CSs were actually telling the police what Petroni was boasting about, in the sense that Petroni was saying that Inspector Taliana was assisting him.

"Eventually after Petroni was searched and arrested by the Drug-Squad, Petroni started saying that he has an inspector from the Drug-Squad and from MSS who were feeding him with information, which was however not the case. As a matter of fact after some time, Petroni was arrested in Brazil.

"Whereas the connections between Insp. Taliana, Petroni and Borg may perhaps be true, there is no evidence at all confirming it. However I am not excluding that the rumours could be true."

And yet in another police document the following extract confirms a direct interrogation with Taliana:

"Subsequently PS 302 Elton Taliana at that time stationed as security officer with Hon. Dep. Prime Minister and Minister for Justice and Home Affairs Dr. Tonio Borg was sent for and interrogated at length on the 8th January 2007 in the presence of Insp. HR. Copy of statement is attached as Red (4), Note that an original copy of same was immediately forwarded to the Commissioner by hand as requested.

"In his statement PS 302 had denied all allegations, though he admitted that on the 30th December 2006 whilst crossing over from Malta to Gozo he had met a certain (name withheld) who was accompanied by [name withheld]. The sergeant added that he knew (name withheld) since the latter called at the Ministry "for Justice and Home Affairs in connection with something that had to do with the Lands Department, PS 302 also stated that he and [name withheld] communicated by mobile phone and that both had each other's mobile phone number. Statement at Red (3) refers.

"Note also that on the 10th January 2007, PS 302 was transferred to 8 Police district.

"Refd for your information and further directives, please."

Very soon after this interrogation, police sergeant Elton Taliana was, incredibly, promoted to the grade of inspector in 2006.

In May of that same year, the façade of Saviour Balzan's home was torched. The residence was situated in front of the Naxxar police HQ, but no one from the police station saw or noted anyone carrying out the act. And no one was ever prosecuted over the crime.

Note: All the text in italics above was reproduced verbatim.