Rizzo declines to comment on presidential pardon

The former chief of police has declined to comment on how oil trader George Farrugia was granted a presidential pardon to turn state's evidence in the investigations on the Enemalta oil bribes.

In his fourth appearance before the Public Accounts Committee, Farrugia denied having made a request for a presidential pardon granted by the previous administration, saying it was "neither an offer nor a proposal".

Farrugia learnt that he could be pardoned for the bribery of Enemalta officials on fuel contracts, a day after former prime minister Lawrence Gonzi first pronounced himself on granting a presidential pardon to whoever could give police any information on the Enemalta oil scandal.

At the time, Farrugia had chosen to avail of the right to remain silent during his interrogation while under arrest.

When MaltaToday asked Gonzi whether his announcement on recommending a pardon for anyone to shed light scandal had been premature and served only to placate public opinion in the middle of the March 2013 general elections, the former prime minister said he was acting on a recommendation by then police commissioner John Rizzo.

It is believed that Farrugia's silence served as the pretext to be granted a presidential pardon a week after being released from arrest.

Asked to confirm whether it was he, as the chief investigating officer, who proposed the presidential pardon for Farrugia, Rizzo declined to comment.

MaltaToday also sought to understand on what criteria had Rizzo recommended granting the pardon to someone whom he did not know what sort of information he could advance on the oil scandal investigations.

But Rizzo argued that he could not comment as the case was still being heard before the Public Accounts Committee in Parliament, before which he could be summoned as a witness.

"Moreover, there are a number of criminal proceedings related to this case, which to date, are all still sub judice. In fact, to date, I have already testified in the criminal proceedings being taken against [Tarcisio] Mifsud and [Alfred] Mallia," Rizzo said.

"Therefore, it is not considered prudent for me to make any comments to the press at this stage."

Seven persons have been arraigned since the police launched its investigations into the oil scandal. As the case continues in court, the prosecuting officers in the compilation of evidence against Tancred Tabone, the former Enemalta chairman charged with having accepted the bribes, want to file a court writ to force MaltaToday managing editor Saviour Balzan to reveal the source of information on the Enemalta bribery scandal.

The police told the court that Balzan was not protected by the Press Act and that only police officers were legally protected to not reveal any sources related to criminal investigations.

Prosecuting inspector Jonathan Ferris told the court that the source was "necessary" to assist police in their investigations.