The NGO Repubblika has accused Prime Minister Robert Abela of trying to put pressure on the courts in order for them to exonerate Joseph Muscat “and his clique” from the serious charges that they are facing over the hospitals deal.
Repubblika reacted to the Prime Minister’s comments on Xtra, which aired on Monday evening, where he cast doubts on the prosecution’s case and the magisterial inquiry which resulted in dozens of individuals, including Muscat, former Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne, and former OPM Chief of Staff Keith Schembri, face a raft of serious charges.
Abela also announced that because he was not convinced by what had emerged in the case thus far, he was reinstating Ronald Mizzi as a Permanent Secretary. Mizzi is one of those facing charges in the case and had tendered his resignation from his post when the charges were issued.
“The Prime Minister’s decision to appoint as Permanent Secretary in his office a public official who is under a bill of indictment for several serious criminal offences—allegedly committed through abuse of the public authority he held—amounts to contempt towards the Attorney General and the court that still has to decide on the charges he is facing,” Repubblika said of the news.
The NGO said that Abela had, with his comments, passed judgment on the prosecution facing Mizzi and others. “Robert Abela carried out what he described as an evaluation of the prosecution being led by the Attorney General and reached a judgment on a case that still has months or years being heard.”
“This marks the true end of the separation of powers and democracy when the Prime Minister summarily decides on the guilt or innocence of his friends, instead of leaving that role to the court, as it should be,” the organisation said.
“Fortunately, despite the Prime Minister’s premature and incompetent judgment, the proceedings against Joseph Muscat and his associates do not stop here,” it continued.
Repubblika said that it is therefore “doubly abusive” that Abela has appointed a person under indictment for serious crimes allegedly committed through abuse of public office back to the same public office.
“This is not only ironic—it is an affront to the public service as well,” it said.
“The office of Permanent Secretary is a constitutional position. Anyone occupying that role is expected to adhere to the values of the constitution, which are rooted in respect for the rule of law. Furthermore, the role of a Permanent Secretary represents the governance of our country. It is an unacceptable contradiction for someone to hold such a post while facing serious criminal charges,” it said.
Repubblika said that Mizzi “did the right thing when he resigned from his position upon being charged” and said that since then, he has been under indictment, and that it is even less appropriate now for him to serve as a Permanent Secretary in the Maltese administration.
“There is no doubt that through this act, Robert Abela is exerting illegitimate pressure on the courts to decide the way he wants, and to let Joseph Muscat and his clique escape the consequences of the serious corruption they are accused of committing,” the NGO concluded.