Konrad Mizzi’s lawyer is attempting to bring Julian Hofstra, the Dutch national linked to Dalligate, alleged Melvin Theuma recordings, and Mizzi himself, on board as a client, Lovin Malta can reveal. 

Sources told Lovin Malta that Jean-Paul Sammut has been in contact with Hofstra over the last few days, attempting to angle himself as the Dutch inmate’s new legal representative in Malta. Hofstra is currently represented by Charles Mercieca, the lawyer of main suspect Yorgen Fenech who is currently facing charges concerning an attempted bribe of a Times of Malta journalist.

Sammut told the newsroom that it was Hofstra who initiated communication, but he had since decided to put a halt to it. Lovin Malta is informed that Sammut was still speaking to Hofstra on 9th February 2021, the day an article claiming Hofstra had been offered immunity was published.

He has confirmed that he had accepted a request to assist Hofstra but insists that the offer is no longer valid. Hofstra is currently in prison in Amsterdam.

Sammut allegedly told Hofstra that he would be able to negotiate directly with the government and the Malta Security Services on Hofstra’s behalf, potentially even securing a deal for him.

“This is privileged information and I cannot comment,” Sammut said. 

Hofstra and Sammut’s relationship stretches back to December, with the latter allegedly organising a meeting with Hofstra and members of the MSS. Sammut claims that Hofstra was the one to contact him. He refused to comment on the claim.

Hofstra is linked to Mizzi, Sammut’s client. Lovin Malta has published a photo showing the pair together in a restricted section of the Malta International Airport. At the time, Hofstra was the on the run from a European Arrest Warrant over his involvement in an affiliate marketing email scam. 

Sources have revealed that Hofstra was able to pass freely through the airport. At the time, Mizzi was the Tourism Minister directly responsible for Air Malta and the airport. 

Sammut denied any claims of conflict of interest, insisting that Hofstra said there was no links to Mizzi.

“It’s a very cheap question. Hofstra confirmed from day one that Mizzi had no wrongdoings and there was no evidence linked to Mizzi, otherwise I wouldn’t have accepted to speak to him,” he said.

Lovin Malta is informed otherwise and that police wish to speak to Hofstra about the links to the disgraced former minister.

Beyond the links to Mizzi, Lovin Malta has revealed that police and lawyers of Yorgen Fenech have been scrambling to gain access to recordings and other evidence allegedly in Hofstra’s possession. However, concerns remain over the veracity of the claims.

Sources have suggested that the recordings allegedly show Theuma detailing Keith Schembri’s involvement in the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia and his fears that Fenech and Schembri were planning to murder him. It remains to be seen whether these claims will prove correct.

A warrant has been issued to bring Hofstra to Malta.

Meanwhile, Lovin Malta has also revealed that police are exploring Hofstra’s links to former EU Commissioner John Dalli and his former aide Silvio Zammit.

Well-informed sources have told Lovin Malta that Hofstra’s connections to Zammit and Dalli could relate to an investigation into an alleged €60 million bribe offer from a Swedish tobacco/Snus company linked to the two men.

Police have denied claims that some sort of immunity has been offered fro Hofstra to testify. It remains to be seen whether Hofstra will ever be brought to Malta.

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