Updated | Silvio Zammit charged with bribery, trading in influence

Silvio Zammit, a former canvasser for John Dalli and former Sliema deputy mayor for the PN has been remanded in custody, charged with bribery and trading in influence.

The accusations concern his role in an alleged request for a €60 million bribe to influence tobacco legislation that was being spearheaded by Dalli when he was European Commissioner.

Police inspector Angelo Gafà from the economic crimes unit requested that Zammit, 48 of Sliema, is kept in custody after he attempted to influence lawyer Gayle Kimberley, a lobbyist for Swedish snuff tobacco producers Swedish Match, whom he said was "an important part of the case".

Defence lawyers Kris Busietta and Melvyn Mifsud said the police's reasoning was incorrect because the alleged interference had to be based on a real fear of influence happening, and not on whether it was possible.

Magistrate Miriam Hayman refused bail, and remanded Zammit in custody - he will spend the next 15 days locked up before a date for the sitting is scheduled. Zammit appeared bewildered at the denial of bail.

Present for the Attorney General's Office were Philip Galea Farrguia and Lara Lanfranco.

Zammit was arrested for the third time since the start of investigations into the alleged bribe yesterday evening, and kept overnight in the lock-up at police headquarters in Floriana. Zammit was accompanied by his wife and son during the court.