US Embassy Officials sought information on Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and his chief of staff Keith Schembri in exchange for lifting sanctions on alleged fuel-smuggler Darren Debono, his lawyer has claimed.

According to reports, Debono’s lawyer, Victor Bugeja said that the US asked for information on the refuel of two Russian ships outside of Malta’s territorial waters.

The sensational allegations formed part of Debono’s request for an injunction relating to UN sanctions.

Darren Debono and Gordon Debono have been accused of being part of a fuel smuggling operation in the Mediterranean. They were arrested in 2017 after Libyan fuel smuggler Fahmi Slim Bin Khalifa was apprehended.

It has been claimed that Russia blocked a Maltese request for UN sanctions against the pair.

Yesterday, reports said that no sanctions were to be taken against them. However, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has refuted any claims that the government changed its direction.

“This declaration does not imply that actions done in the past or actions that can be taken in the future could be changed,” the Ministry said.

“The Office of the Attorney General during these proceedings explained that whether or not a petition for sanctions was presented in front of the United Nations Security Council is a matter of confidential nature.

“If such a petition was presented, the Security Council of the United Nations had the power to accept or reject these sanctions. The Government of Malta could only abide with such decision,” the statement continued.

The ministry said that the government would remain “committed to actions pursued in the past and future actions which may be taken if the situation calls for them.”

“Malta will not refrain from taking action to enforce its laws or in the interest of peace and stability in the Mediterranean region or elsewhere,” the ministry concluded.

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