Police quiz former Enemalta head; lawyers discuss timebar issues

Former Enemalta chairman Tancred Tabone has been questioned by police over the bribery allegations involving oil procurement nine years ago. Mr Tabone was questioned about allegations that oil company Trafigura paid consultant Frank Sammut a commission.He was a consultant to Mr Tabone tasked with reorganising the storage of petroleum products. Mr Sammut was a member of the fuel procurement committee between 1987 and 1998. Legal experts differ on whether this case is time-barred. It was noted that after May 2004, the more serious bribery charges had the timebar doubled to 10 years. The alleged graft happened around March 2004. This means this case became timebarred after 2009 because the old punishments and provisions at law applied. However there are different interpretations of the law, hinging on when the crime became known. Full story in The Times.