Revoking oil trader George Farrugia’s pardon risks complicating matters for the police in pending court cases against former Enemalta officials, legal experts agree.  

Kevin Aquilina, law faculty dean at the University of Malta, said revoking the pardon would allow the police to press charges against the individual. But things would get complicated for any pending court cases in which the pardoned individual’s testimony is needed, he added.

“Without the pardon the accused will be under no obligation to testify on matters that can incriminate him,” Prof. Aquilina said.

Lawyer Stephen Tonna Lowell pointed out that withdrawing the pardon would render the individual a partner to a crime and he would be treated by the courts as a co-accused.

“Testimony given by a co-accused is inadmissible as court evidence until the person’s case is definitely decided up to appeals stage,” Dr Tonna Lowell said.

There are also questions on who would decide whether Mr Farrugia broke the conditions attached to the pardon.

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