Italian prosecutor complains of ‘Malta delays’ in anti-mafia investigation

An Italian prosecutor has complained of an alleged lack of cooperation by the Maltese authorities, insisting that no replies have been forthcoming following the issuance of letters rogatory.

Letters rogatory – or letters of request – are a formal request from a court to a foreign court, requesting judicial assistance.

MaltaToday is informed that two men whom the Italian authorities want to reach out to are a former Gaming Authority official and a trust lawyer.

Antimafia prosecutor Nicola Gratteri, of the Catanzaro Tribunal, said in comments to the media that the investigation was still awaiting the results of the international rogatory from Malta, “but there has been no reply”.

Gratteri, who is leading an investigation into the antimafia operation dubbed “Jonny”, said he was baffled that Malta, so close to Italy, had failed to reply.

Contacted by MaltaToday, Attorney General Peter Grech rejected allegations that Malta was refusing to answer.

“I cannot comment on the merits or the specifics of the case but it is not correct to state that Malta is refusing to answer. The police are handling the matter,” the Attorney General said.

The investigation is in connection with an alleged mafia-related business that moved its gaming franchise to Malta.

Earlier this month, the Malta Gaming Authority suspended the online gambling licence of CenturionBet Ltd, which operates the Bet1128 brand. 

Italian police have documented how the Calabria-based Arena clan marketed the betting website of CenturionBet Ltd, enjoying a near-monopoly over gambling activities in the area and allegedly trafficking stolen archaeological artefacts.

Francesco Martiradonna, described by investigators as the “de-facto owner of Centurionbet”, was alleged to have provided a concrete contribution to the “strengthening of the ’Ndrangheta group’s commercial position”.

The Martiradonna family lawyer, Giancarlo Chiarello, has denied that the Martiradonnas had anything to do with the Maltese company. “The company CenturionBet has never been the subject of a criminal investigation,” Chiarello said. “And I am not aware that Francesco Martiradonna played a role in its corporate structure.”

In May, Italian authorities arrested 68 suspected members of the ’Ndrangheta mafia group that stole food from migrants at Italy’s largest reception centre, siphoning off over €30 million in state funds.

Now, as part of the ongoing investigation, the Italian prosecutor is urging the Maltese authorities to collaborate, adding that time is of the essence.

“If Malta decides not to collaborate with Italy, or replies six months or a year after I conclude my investigation, it will be useless. It is just a choice of not wanting to reply, because we have no problems on a procedural level,” Gratteri was quoted as saying.

Gratteri also commented that he viewed the “high” number of firms in Malta offering online gambling was “very suspicious”.

“There is something that doesn’t add up on the legislative level or at the level of controls… we need to look further into the matter, not only at a judicial level but also at administrative and political levels,” the Italian prosecutor said.