Minister’s chief of staff’s car set on fire in suspected arson

Chris Cardona’s chief of staff Mario Azzopardi’s Mercedes destroyed by fire in suspected arson in Valletta

Still from mobile phone footage of the blaze engulging Mario Azzopardi's Mercedes
Still from mobile phone footage of the blaze engulging Mario Azzopardi's Mercedes
Minister Chris Cardona and Mario Azzopardi
Minister Chris Cardona and Mario Azzopardi

A government minister's chief of staff had his car destroyed by fire in a suspected arson.

The car, a Mercedes, belongs to Mario Azzopardi, the chief of staff of economy minister Chris Cardona.

The Mercedes was parked in Sappers Street, Valletta when it was destroyed after catching fire last night.

The police said the fire was reported at around 11pm.

Azzopardi was also reported having been near the scene of the crime, in the Stables Bar on Sappers Street where he was with friends.

A police source said arson was suspected because of paraphernalia found nearby which aroused suspicions of a deliberate attack.

Cardona is currently running for Labour deputy leader for party affairs. His chief of staff Mario Azzopardi, is the owner of clothes stores Pardi and Scruples.

Duty magistrate Charmain Galea has opened an inquiry.