Updated | Lawyer to head Gozo drug prosecution inquiry

Lawyer Frank Testa will be leading an inquiry into how political intervention changed the course of a police investigation into a case of drug trafficking

File Photo. Victoria Police Sation
File Photo. Victoria Police Sation

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has tasked a lawyer with leading an inquiry into an alleged case of political intervention in a drug investigation case by the Gozo police.

In a brief statement, the Office of the Prime Minister said that Muscat had appointed lawyer Frank Testa to investigate the case, in line with the Inquiries Act. The order was issued on Monday evening.

Testa is partner at MAMO TCV Advocates.

On Sunday, MaltaToday revealed how the families of two young men met with senior government officials, after which an opportunity was given for a police statement to be changed. This affected the course of the police investigation and the two men have not been prosecuted to date.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Nationalist Party called on Muscat to appoint the inquiry without any further delay, arguing that the more time allowed, the higher the chances of evidence being tampered with.

In its initial reaction to Testa’s appointment, the opposition pointed out that the inquiry was not being led by a sitting member of the judiciary.

It also called for the publication of the board’s terms of reference and the names of the individuals sitting on the same board, assisting Testa in the inquiry.