1. The Committee of
Ministers thanks the Honourable Parliamentarian for his question.
It has received information from the Maltese Government indicating
that numerous constitutional and institutional reforms have been
undertaken to address the shortcomings identified by the public
inquiry. The Committee of Ministers has been regularly updated on
progress made towards implementation of the recommendations of the
public inquiry and on the reform of the legal framework concerning
media freedom. The Committee notes also that the Venice Commission,
MONEYVAL and GRECO have reported on relevant developments in the
context of these reforms.
2. As concerns the trial of the alleged mastermind, the Committee
of Ministers is informed that, on 4 October 2023, the Court of Criminal
Appeal upheld the decision of the Criminal Court to bring the accused
to trial by jury. The first step in this procedure was a sitting
of the Criminal Court on 3 November 2023. In view of this development,
as well as the fact that the three hitmen involved have already
been convicted and sentenced, the Committee of Ministers is satisfied
that sufficient progress is being made.
3. In the light of the above, the Committee of Ministers sees
no need for it to take any action.
