UN experts confirm involvement of Maltese companies in Libya smuggling

A United Nations' panel of experts has confirmed the involvement of Maltese companies in the smuggling of Libyan resources that violates UN sanctions, a court has been told. This was revealed in reports by the United Nations' sanctions committee, which were tabled in court by the chair of Malta’s sanctions monitoring board in proceedings linked to an extensive police investigation into international fuel smuggling.  The documents were exhibited in the ongoing compilation of evidence against Pier-Paul Debono, who is pleading not guilty to money laundering activities between 2014 and 2016, when he temporarily held the post of director at World Water Fisheries, a company owned by his brother Darren Debono.  He is also pleading not guilty to knowingly or negligently making false declarations to auditors, destroying, altering or falsifying documents, and breaching company laws.  The request for a freezing order, normally put forward by the prosecution in money laundering cases was, however, withdrawn at the start of proceedings.  The accused’s brother, Darren, also stands accused of money laundering in separate proceedings that kicked off last year. When taking the witness stand...