New developments expected on Dalli case following interrogation

Last updated at 8pm

Former commissioner for health and consumer policy John Dalli today was called in for questioning by the Commissioner of Police John Rizzo, over the contents of the investigation by the EU's anti-fraud office OLAF on an alleged bribe solicited by a canvasser of which Dalli was allegedly aware of.

Silvio Zammit, the canvasser who is said to have asked a Swedish Match lobbyist in Malta - lawyer and former European Council legal services office Gayle Kimberley - for a €60 million bribe, was also called in for questioning.

It is not known whether those interrogated will be charged. However, police sources told MaltaToday that new developments will be announced shortly.

Sources close to John Dalli reported that the former Commissioner was "in high spirits". According to the sources, Dalli fully cooperated with the interrogators, "who treated him with respect and dignity".

MaltaToday is informed that John Dalli spent the night between Monday and Tuesday inside the Commissioner of Police's office, because he chose to have interrogation continue uninterrupted.

Dalli was questioned by Commissioner of Police John Rizzo, assistant commissioner and head of the economic crimes unit Michael Cassar and Police Inspector Angelo Gafà.

At 11am, Dalli was about to leave the Floriana depot, but was asked by his interrogators not to leave for questioning to resume.

Zammit would have allegedly asked the bribe to influence tobacco legislation that Dalli was spearheading, which included retaining the ban on Swedish snus, a smokeless form of tobacco that is placed beneath the lips.

Swedish Match reported the bribe to the European Commission, which referred the matter to OLAF. The investigation, which started in May and culminated with the resignation of Dalli on 16 October, was handed to the Maltese Attorney General and subsequently handed to the police for investigation.