Councillors, contractors arrested in wide-ranging councils' contracts probe

A number of councillors and contractors have been arrested and interrogated by the police in connection to what has been described as a wide-ranging probe on works contracts in Sliema and St. Julians.

14 January 2011, 12:00am
by Karl Stagno-Navarra

1 min read

MaltaToday is informed that the investigation is being led by the Economic Crimes Unit and have interrogated a number of councillors from both parties in Sliema and St. Julians.

It is understood that former Sliema Mayor Nikki Dimech - who already faces charges on having asked for bribes - was arrested on Tuesday and released yesterday, a PL councillor and at least two contractors were held since yesterday at the Police headquarters in Floriana.

Reliable sources have told MaltaToday that the investigation is "wide-ranging" and concerns the issuing of works contracts in both localities to certain contractors, and alleged paybacks that aided the contractors access to the contracts.

One source told MaltaToday that the investigation is quite complex and stretches on both sides of the political divide.

Details are expected to be released over the weekend as police are intent on prosecuting a number of people between Saturday and Sunday.