Months of legal battles may have drawn to close after a magistrate ordered an inquiry into the controversial sale of three public hospitals and the involvement of Ministers Konrad Mizzi, Chris Cardona, and Edward Scicluna.

Spurred on by activist group Repubblika, the three have been accused of facilitating a “coordinated” “act of modern-day piracy”, “corruption and money laundering, among other crimes” which saw Vitals Global Healthcare’s investor leave a debt of €50 million.

VGH was forced to sell its 30-year concession to manage three state hospitals to Steward Healthcare 21 months into its operation.

This is the second time the inquiry has been approved by a magistrate. Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit initially acceded to the initial request last May, before an appeal in front of Justice Giovanni Grixti threw out the inquiry.

However, today Magistrate Doreen Clarke dismissed arguments by the Ministers that the request was simply allegations after Repubblika launched a fresh request following the previous dismissal.

The Magistrate found that the law gave private citizens the right to ask for an inquiry but did not give citizens the executive power needed to collect evidence.

Repubblika has also filed a complaint with the Commission for the Administration of Justice over Judge Grixti’s decision.

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