European Parliament delegation to Malta expresses concern over rule of law

VALLETTA, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- A delegation of members of European Parliament (MEPs) on a fact-finding mission to Malta on Friday expressed concern about the rule of law in the country.

The delegation is in Malta after a European Parliament (EP) resolution on the rule of law in Malta was adopted by the parliament two weeks ago. The EP debate was sparked by the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia last month.

Ana Gomes, head of the delegation, said the murder had had a chilling effect on the population but also represented a "galvanizing moment for society to understand that the rule of law affects all of us."

Gomes noted that after having held meetings with a number of the country's institutions, the prime minister and his chief of staff, civil society, and some representatives of private institutions, the delegation said there was a "very wide perception of impunity" in Malta.

The delegation also met officials from Pilatus bank, which was at the heart of money laundering investigations allegedly involving the prime minister's wife.

Gomes also expressed the delegation's concern over Malta's cash-for-citizenship scheme, which was described as "extremely problematic." Enditem