Magistrate accepts Busuttil’s request to investigate Muscat, Schembri, Mizzi

Updated 1.45pm - Added video  A magistrate has upheld Opposition leader Simon Busuttil's request for an investigation on whether Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri, among others, broke money laundering laws when opening secret companies in Panama. The request had also called to investigate Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. Magistrate Ian Farrugia, who was the duty magistrate when the application was filed last week, delivered his ruling this morning, ordering the launch of a criminal inquiry into the allegations. Magistrate Farrugia said that the pre-requisites for an inquiry had been satisfied. He ordered that notification of the decision be communicated to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, his chief of staff Keith Schembri, Minister Konrad Mizzi, accountants and auditors Brian Tonna and Karl Cini as well as Kasco Limited employee Malcolm Scerri and former Allied Newspapers Limited former managing director Adrian Hillman. These were all given two days to appeal the decision. In his court application, Dr Busuttil asked the court to launch a criminal inquiry into the men's acts. The application highlights a December 2015 email in which Nexia BT's Karl Schembri gives go-ahead to open bank...