Civil Society Network demands finance minister stop ‘dodging questions’

The Civil Society Network (CSN) has called on Finance Minister Edward Scicluna to stop dodging questions on the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU), adding that it was preoccupied by the minister’s attitude.

It said that questions sent to the minister by the group had remained unanswered, despite the same questions also having been asked by MP Simon Busuttil in parliament, and by The Shift News.

“The Network reminds minister Scicluna that the position he holds has the sole and exclusive purpose of being of service to the Maltese and therefore it is imperative that the Minister gives a proper account of his activities and of the practices followed by the entities which fall under his responsibility,” read a statement by CSN.
It called on Scicluna to inform the public on whether:

(i) He was ever involved in a conversation, received or requested information from any member of the Board of Governors or with any official or employee of the FIAU or the Police Force, where the former FIAU officials Jonathan Ferris and Charles were mentioned
(ii) Such communication or request took place, whether it happened before or after Ferris and Cronin were informed of the termination of their contract with the FIAU, and who the communication was with.

CSN said it was vital for Malta to “establish the truth with regard to the resignations of Police Commissioner Michael Cassar and FIAU Director Manfred Galdes, as well as the termination of employment of FIAU officials Jonathan Ferris and Charles Cronin.

‘A lack of will to do this would mean that Institutional Omerta’ exists in Malta,” it said.

It is vital for Malta to establish the truth with regard to the resignations of Police Commissioner Michael Cassar and FIAU Director Manfred Galdes and with regard to the termination of employment of FIAU officials Jonathan Ferris and Charles Cronin. A lack of will to do this would mean that Institutional Omerta’ exists in Malta.