‘No reasonable suspicion’ to investigate OPM minister, chief of staff over Panamagate

There existed “no reasonable suspicion or doubt” to investigate OPM Minister Konrad Mizzi and chief of staff Keith Schembri over the revelations of Panama Papers, according to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.

Stating that this information was “publicly available”, Muscat said that the police found “no reasonable suspicion” to hold an investigation into the two.

“The police investigates all cases and is open on Panama Papers as well, and sees all information,” Muscat said.

Asked whether the Financial Intelligence and Analysis Unit had concluded its probe and whether he had seen the report, Muscat said he did not have access to such information.

“FIAU is an independent authority and it doesn’t pass on reports to politicians… God forbid the day I see FIAU reports.”

During a plenary session of parliament last night, Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela said the police had investigated all allegations surrounding the Panama Papers revelations, prompting Opposition leader Simon Busuttil to ask whether this meant that Mizzi was under investigation.