The Cabinet agreed tonight to recommend the granting of a presidential pardon for businessman George Farrugia in return for information on the Enemalta oil procurement scandal.
The government said in a statement that the Cabinet had accepted the advice of the Attorney General and the Police Commissioner.
The Cabinet met soon after the prime minister arrived from the European Union summit.
The Attorney General and the Police Commissioner were present.
Mr Farrugia, formerly CEO of John’s Garage group, has requested a pardon in return for evidence against a ring thought to be involved in the case. He is being represented by lawyers Franco Debono and Siegfried Borg Cole.
The police are investigating claims that several persons were involved in kickbacks from the sale of oil to Enemalta.
Court action is expected to be taken against key suspects and several companies related to the probe. This action cannot be reported on under the terms of the Money Laundering Act.
The investigation is following two avenues. One concerns the commissions allegedly taken by petrochemist Frank Sammut from Dutch oil giant Trafigura on consignments destined for Enemalta.
The second centres on Enemalta’s former oil bunkering subsidiary (MOBC) and a firm that later took a significant share of its business, Island Bunkering Oil Ltd.
Three shareholders have been interrogated: Cassar Ship repair managing director Anthony Cassar, Francis Portelli, of Virtu Ferries, and former Enemalta chairman Tancred Tabone. Mr Sammut also worked as a consultant for the firm.