‘I Fear For My Safety’: Expert Behind Vitals Inquiry Says He ‘Will Never Return To Malta’… But Judge Warns He’s Bound By Maltese Law
The forensic accountant behind the Vitals inquiry has made it crystal clear he will never set foot in Malta again, citing grave concerns over his personal safety. However, he’s since been warned by a judge that he’s bound by Maltese law, and could be summoned accordingly.
Jeremy Harbinson, the financial crime expert who led the seven-year-long probe into the controversial hospital deal, submitted an affidavit in court this week, stating that his findings have put him in danger.
“The experiences and insights I have gained over the past seven years mean that I fear for my safety, and I have decided that I will never return to Malta”, Harbinson declared.
His statement was met with Madam Justice Edwina Grima ordering Harbinson, who has communicated only via email so far, to submit an original copy of his affidavit. This document could then be included in the case file under a legal provision allowing overseas residents to testify.
“The local proceedings are regulated by Maltese law and not UK law,” the judge stated firmly, showing that Harbinson was appointed as a court expert by the Maltese judiciary and must abide by its legal framework.
Harbinson’s damning 1,200-page report into the multi-million-euro deal is now at the centre of a high-profile court case, leading to corrupt charges against former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and several top officials.
However, he insists the report was never meant to serve as the sole basis for criminal prosecution.
“Our report made no mention of criminal charges or freezing orders, and I had no input into these”, he clarified. A disclaimer on the report, he added, made it clear that was strictly for the inquiring magistrate’s use and not to be shared with third parties without permission.
Despite this, the document had been used by the Attorney General and police as the foundation for their case.
Justice Minister Jonathan Attard has previously stated that the inquiry cost over €10 million.
Harbinson’s UK-based firm, Harbinson Forensics, has since shut down, but his expertise has been used in other major Maltese cases, including inquiries into offshore firm Egrant and alleged Electrogas power station scandal.
“I Should Have Been Consulted”
Harbinson also questioned the way his report is being used, stating that if he has been consulted, he would have advised that separate, more focused reports be drawn up for each individual facing charges.
“The single massive inquiry report details findings on hundreds of individuals and companies and cannot be testified to by any single individual,” he explained.
Prosecutors have since requested that the case can be split into six separate trials.
His reluctance to testify has frustrated lawyers defending those accused, who insist on cross-examining him in person. Initially, Harbinson cited his wife’s medical condition as the reason he could not travel. However, his latest affidavit makes it clear that his fears run much deeper.
“Experts Should Be Paid To Testify”
Harbinson, who oversaw a team of 30 specialists working on the inquiry, argued that the experts involved should not be expected to testify without additional payment.
However, Harbinson ruled himself out of any future involvement, making it a point that he’s retired and the fact that he has surrendered his accountant’s licence. Meaning he is no longer legally permitted to conduct such work under the UK law.
His affidavit noted a toll onto this ongoing situation, taken on his personal life, stating that the “pressure and stress” caused by demands from Malta have worsened his wife’s medical condition and negatively effected their mental health.
With his mind made up, the expert that had a fundamental role in exposing the Vitals deal is now cutting all ties with Malta.
What do you make of this latest development?
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