Inquiring magistrate postpones caseload once more

The magistrate leading the inquiry into the ownership of Egrant Inc, the Panama company set up in tandem with those owned by Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri after they came to power in March 2013, has postponed yet another week of his routine court-cases: those of the week ending 27th June.

Magistrate Aaron Bugeja began the inquiry began on 21st April and since that day the inquiring magistrate has not been able to preside over routine court hearings, which means that hundreds of people – witnesses, defendants, plaintiffs, accused, lawyers and prosecutors – have been inconvenienced by having their court hearings shifted several months down the line into the autumn.

I am now informed that Magistrate Bugeja may be travelling to Panama in connection with the case.

The Attorney General, who should be presiding over the investigation and prosecution of Konrad Mizzi, instead holds out the crucifix for him to take the oath on his re-appointment to the cabinet of government. As one MEP said in the European Parliament debate today: “It is like handing a thief the key to your home.”