A Member of Malta’s Parliament has accused the head of the country’s Public Service and a former Police Commissioner of being involved in the frame-up of a former tax official.
Jason Azzopardi made the sensational claim that in 2013, a former high-ranking tax officer was forced to resign after being arrested, detained and interrogated, ostensibly for refusing to heed the suggestion from Principal Permanent Secretary, Mario Cutajar (pictured) to step down from his role.
Mr Azzopardi said that the officer was detained in the evening, all night and into the morning and was subjected to a humiliating strip search.
He alleged Mr Cutajar had sent for the official in mid-April 2013, telling him to resign quietly, but the official subsequently refused.
“Mr Cutajar called for him again two days later, reiterating the demand for his resignation and threatening criminal charges would be made against him if he refused to step down,” Mr Azzopardi said.
He claimed the official was arrested on the basis of false criminal suspicions and was summoned twice by then Commissioner of Police, Peter Paul Zammit.
Mr Azzopardi said a police investigation of the tax officer could not find any evidence against him.
In a statement, Mr Cutajar said he unreservedly denied the claims, insisting he never interfered in police work.
Valetta, 4 March 2021
