What the Sunday papers say…

MaltaToday says 'Whistleblower passed on Trafigura oil bribe invoice', explaining that a crucial piece of evidence that MaltaToday published to expose the bribery in Enemalta's procurement of oil was not among a stash of court documents in a multi-million euro compensation case filed against oil trader George Farrugia by his brothers.

The paper also reveals that Rahkat Aliyev has applied for Cypriot citizenship, revealed after his name appeared in mandatory newspaper ad for applicants for citizenship.

The Sunday Times of Malta reports that Arriva will be leaving Malta by the first quarter of next year under a transition agreement being finalised between the company and the transport authorities. Transport Malta and Arriva management are currently negotiating the terms of the deal through which the authority would take over the company and a portion of its substantial debts in a nominal sale.

The paper also reports that a member of the John's Group and nephew to oil trader George Farrugia has denied that Manuel Mallia knew of the oil bribes and that John's Group donated €2,000 to Austin Gatt.

In an interview with The Malta Independent, former ambassador and PN consultant Tony Debono said Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia did not know of oil kickbacks. Debono also says that none of the other Farrugia brothers, board members or himself, were aware of the kickbacks.

Debono also insists that George Farrugia should have never been given a Presidential Pardon by the Naitionalist government because he is the "guiltiest person in this case".

Sunday newspaper Illum reports that Rakhat Aliyev has alleged that It-Torca was being paid by Kazakh Secret Services to publish reports to tarnish his reputation. It also reports that the PN asked a councillor to resign after Illum revealed he would be arraigned on usury charges.

It-Torca reports that Austin Gatt had convinced the Cabinet to change the operations of the MOBC so that it would no longer trade in oil. According to the paper, this decision led to IBOL Ltd take over MOBC's works.

Il-mument reports that documents reveal how Manuel Mallia had long known about the oil bribes. These documents, the paper says, are signed by Manuel Mallia as the legal representative of Power Plan Limited.