PN renews calls for independent visas inquiry, Vella Bonnici’s removal

The Nationalist Party has renewed its call for the dismissal of Joe Vella Bonnici as executive chairman of Identity Malta, in light of ongoing police investigations into the issuance of residence permits.

The Opposition party also reiterated its call for an independent inquiry into the visas scandal, insisting that what the police have unearthed during the course of the investigations was “institutionalised corruption”.

Vella Bonnici is under pressure over a police investigation into allegations that thousands of visas and residence permits were issued fraudulently from the agency. Three low-level employees have been questioned by the police so far, after a raid was conducted at Identity Malta offices at the Evans Building.

READ MORE How citizen’s complaint rumbled Joe Sammut’s visa scam • Identity Malta change prompted ‘exodus’ of civil service heads • Police raid Identity Malta offices • Over 74,000 visas to Libyans by Maltese embassy since 2011 • Joe Sammut indicted on fraud, money laundering

Accusing Muscat of defending Vella Bonnici, PN deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami added that “a whole clique of Labour activists were placed at Identity Malta to help Vella Bonnici”. Questioning their credentials, Fenech Adami added that the individuals – Ryan Spagnol, Mqabba mayor Charlene Zammit, Amanda Mifsud and IIP CEO Jonathan Cardona – were given jobs at Identity Malta because of their political affiliations.

The government claims the racket identified by police at Identity Malta – discovered following police investigations to accountant Joe Sammut was charged with registering hundreds of false trading companies in order to obtain residency permits for Libyan nationals – has been ongoing since 2011.

Since 2012, residence permits to Libyan nationals rose by over 440% in 2014, when 14,000 permits were issued. 

The PN said it was equally suspicious that several visas were issued to North Korean citizens, questioning why they would want to come to Malta.

Fenech Adami claimed that the racket was “only discovered” following statements given in court.  Three Libyan witnesses testified for the prosecution in return for a promise of immunity from criminal action related to case against Sammut.

“We are concerned that today we have foreigners amongst us who are here only as a result of corruption and kickbacks paid,” Fenech Adami said.