Stefano Mallia, a Nationalist candidate in the European Parliament elections, has called on the Minister of Home Affairs to explain why a criminal can still apply to become a Maltese citizen.

He asked why the Legal Notice concerning the Individual Investor Programme allows for the possibility for someone with a criminal record to still be eligible to become a Maltese citizen.

More specifically Article 6 states that an applicant for citizenship who has a criminal record, is subject to a criminal investigation or is a potential security threat to Malta shall not be approved for citizenship under the programme.

However the same article continues by saying ‘…..unless Identity Malta is satisfied that the applicant is still worthy of being considered for approval to be demonstrated by the applicant. In such case, Identity Malta shall issue a reasoned opinion as to why such applicant should still be considered for approval and shall refer such application to the Minister, who will have the sole authority to grant such approval.’

Stefano Mallia expressed his concern at the inclusion of this Article in the Legal Notice concerning the sale of citizenship. Mallia queried why this article had been included at all and whether it was correct that the minister should be given the sole authority to decide on such a sensitive matter.