PN calls for Joseph Muscat to 'come clean' about Algerian visa scandal

The Nationalist party’s deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami has once again urged Prime Minister Joseph Muscat to explain the 7,000 visas awarded to Algerian nationals over a year and a half.

“Although the scandal was uncovered weeks ago, Muscat has so far chosen to stay silent about the matter,” Fenech Adami said at a press conference earlier today.

Fenech Adami added that the issuing of so many visas in such a short time was not normal, particularly given that the vast majority of these people had no interest in coming to Malta, but only wanted the Visa to access Europe, or more specifically, France.

Fenech Adami also reiterated questions it had posed to Muscat over recent weeks and insisted that these have so far gone unanswered.

“When did Muscat find out about these alleged abuses? Was he informed about the scandal by the foreign affairs ministry?” Fenech Adami said, further questioning whether Muscat had informed the police about the scandal.

Fenech Adami also noted how the government has not yet denied reports by local media that Muscat’s cousin, Robert Falzon, had served as Malta’s consul in Algeria during the time when disputed visas were issued. He further urged Muscat to come clean about this story, and whether the consul had any relevant experience prior to the appointment.

He further questioned whether Falzon was the only person working at the Maltese consulate at the time when the visas were issued, and whether he had been brought back to Malta from Algeria as an attempt to sweep the scandal under the rug.

“Muscat should stop delaying this and answer these questions,” Fenech Adami said.

The opposition tourism spokesperson Antoine Borg also stressed that it was not normal for one country to issue so many visas during such a short period of time, and added that the scandal could have potential repercussions on Malta’s reputation.

“This could also cast a shadow on Air Malta’s reputation, given that the airline operates regularly to and from Algeria, with incoming flights being typically full outgoing flights being typically empty,” Borg said.

He added that the government should explain whether there was truth to the claims being made and whether people coming from Algeria were really using the country as a stepping stone into Europe.