There are 127 people across 97 different cases that have been charged with money laundering. 

Justice Minister Jonathan Attard revealed the figure following a parliamentary question from MP Karol Aquilina.

Malta’s money laundering investigations have gone into overdrive ever since the departure of Ian Abdilla and the wholesale reform of the Financial Crimes Investigation Department. 

Among the cases listed include Yorgen Fenech, Keith Schembri, Brian Tonna, Adrian Hillman and a host of others linked to major allegations. Meanwhile, investigations continue into corruption claims with countless inquiries still underway. 

However, there are people who have argued that the police have become too overzealous with the law, particularly after pressures brought about by Malta’s greylisting. This includes charging small-time business operators rather than taking on the bigger fish.

Conviction rates remain low. Between 2018 and June 2021 the police charged 127 people with money laundering, managing to secure a conviction in 13 of those cases – all of which were secured in 2018. 

What do you think of Malta’s fight against money laundering?