Malta consul in Shanghai arraigned over €500,000 cash trove at home

Aldo Cutajar, brother of principal permanent secretary Mario Cutajar, charged with money laundering

Aldo Cutajar (inset) has been charged with money laundering
Aldo Cutajar (inset) has been charged with money laundering

A political appointee to Malta’s Shanghai consulate has been charged in a Maltese court, Sunday afternoon, after a police raid on his home that discovered some €500,000 in cash.

Aldo Cutajar, brother of the Maltese civil service chief Mario Cutajar, was charged with money laundering.

Cutajar was remanded in custody after being arraigned in court on Sunday and accused of money laundering charges. The police told the court that some €500,000 in cash had been found during a raid on his home on Saturday and there were between $300,000 and $400,000 in an account in his name in Dubai.

Cutajar's wife, Isabel, was also charged with the same offences. Both pleaded not guilty.

Magistrate Josette Demicoli turned down a request for bail.

Inspector Lianne Bonello prosecuted. Lawyer Roberta Bonello appeared for the accused.

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Cutajar was appointed consul to Shanghai in March 2018, succeeding Sai Mizzi, the wife of former minister Konrad Mizzi.

Mario Cutajar issued a statement at 1:52pm. “I have nothing to do with, nor have the slightest idea of my brother’s operation. I have always been responsible in my actions both privately and in my professional life, and my brother has walked his own road in the most independent of manners.

“I had nothing to do with, nor was I consulted over, his role in Beijing and later in Shanghai,” he said.

Cutajar said that after his brother was arrested, he wrote in an official capacity to the Commissioner of Police, saying that he was available for questioning on his personal financial affairs. 

“I have so far not been questioned over any such allegations. I have not interfered in any police process that led to my brother’s arraignment. This shows that our country’s institutions work.”

Cutajar said that as head of the civil service, he has instructed for the start of disciplinary procedures as required by the Public Service Commission, from which he will recuse himself.