Carmelo Abela Wins HSBC Heist Libel Case Against Jason Azzopardi

PL MP and former minister Carmelo Abela has won a libel case against Jason Azzopardi over claims that he had been involved in the notorious 2010 heist of HSBC’s headquarters.

Azzopardi had claimed in 2021 that Abela had helped mastermind the heist, and his statement was backed up by brothers Alfred and George Degiorgio, two of the hitmen involved in the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Today, Magistrate Rachel Montebello ruled in Abela’s favour and ordered Azzopardi to pay €7,000 in damages as well as court costs.

Prime Minister Robert Abela welcomed the judgment and said “there is no room for mudslinging in our society”.

“We will continue putting an end to such campaigns that are intended to smear and destroy individuals who have a lot to contribute to our country,” he said.