The EC has asked for an investigation into Malta’s ID authorities amid a mix-up of witnesses

An investigation into how Malta issued 18,000 fake identity cards could be launched by regional authorities as a local investigation struggles to make headway.

Malta’s identity card authority, Identità, has been accused of accepting bribes to allow ineligible individuals to obtain Maltese identity cards, which in turn grant them the right to travel within the Schengen area. The investigation quickly led to a guilty verdict shortly after it began in August, when the man pleaded guilty to falsifying documentsfalse declarations and aiding and abetting immigration violations.

Identità CEO Steve Agius says the organization is in the midst of reforms aimed at improving its efficiency, transparency and responsiveness, reports Malta today.

Subsequently, the Member of the European Parliament from Malta, Peter Agius, asked the European Commission to carry out a technical evaluation of Identità’s activities, TVM News reports The request was made during a meeting with European Commissioner Ylva Johansson two weeks ago.

The Malta Chamber of Commerce claimed that an investigation was launched in August, that the scandal was part of “compete breakdown” in the country’s government, which he accused of “gross mismanagement.”

Identità employee Isaac Micallef argued in court this week that the confusion was behind a statement he gave during his first appearance on the witness stand that contradicted that of another agency employee, according to Malta today.

During his first appearance in Times of Malta reports that Micallef testified twice that he did not pass on the particular woman’s file to another agency employee, Stefano Rodoligo, which directly contradicts Rodoligo’s own claims. The woman denies that she is married to Mustafa Ata Moussa Darwish, an Egyptian national who was charged for having an Identità-issued identity card on the grounds that he is the woman’s husband.

The court ordered an inquiry into the conflicting evidence, which ended with Police Inspector Lara Butters telling the court that the police “found nothing”.

The Green Party of the island country before demanded resignation its interior minister over the scandal, and another opposition party, the Nationalist Party, publicly questioned whether a series of police raids were based on false information through false addresses registered with Identità.

Identità says it has not been involved in police raids and says “all procedures and services are carried out with the highest standards of integrity”. Malta Independent reports

Topics of articles

EU | Identity | an identity document | identity management | Malta