“Not only that but he was also allowed to travel abroad many times. Worse, when Iosif Galea was arrested in Brindisi, Italy on the night of 15th May in 2022 on a German warrant, Gafa’ and Pisani kept the news away from the Maltese people,” he explained.

“Then, they played a dirty game. When they learned that Galea had been arrested in Italy, they issued a Maltese arrest warrant for Galea, to give the impression that Galea had been arrested because of their post-arrest warrant,” he said.

“Mr Ombudsman, this is a serious situation. Malta needs a police force to protect its citizens against criminals, and not vice versa. Please, as an honest shield of the citizen, do not ignore my request,” Cassola appealed.

He asked the Ombudsman to enquire on the following points: 

1. Why didn’t the Maltese police arrest Galea for an entire year?

2. Who gave the order for Galea to remain free?

3. Who gave the order to not stop Galea from continuing to travel?

4. Was Gafa’ was under political pressure not to take action against Galea?

5. Why did Gafa’ and Pisani keep the news of the arrest in Italy a secret?

6. Why did Gafa’ issue a European arrest warrant from Malta more than a week after Galea had already been arrested?

This comes after the arrest of Iosif Galea in Italy while holidaying with former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and his wife, Michelle, as revealed by the Times of Malta.

Galea is wanted in connection to an investigation into trading in influence and leaking sensitive data at the Malta Gaming Authority.

What do you make of Cassola’s statement?