Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has so far failed to appear in court to testify in the case he instituted against Marco Gaffarena and his wife, Josielle, over the Old Mint Street property expropriation scandal.
Last month, a court sitting presided by Judge Anna Felice had to be postponed to next Thursday, as the Prime Minster failed to appear, citing other important meetings as the reason for his absence.
Due to the Prime Minister’s busy schedule, the court went out of its way to accommodate him, suggesting that he could choose to give his testimony either on March 21 or on April 4 or 6.
In ordinary circumstances, a witness can’t pick and choose when he wants to appear
However, Attorney General Peter Grech has presented a note to the courts stating that Dr Muscat cannot make any of the suggested dates.
“In ordinary circumstances, a witness cannot pick and choose when he wants to appear in court,” a legal source noted.
The case was instituted by the Prime Minister in January 2016 following the Old Mint Street property debacle, which cost Parliamentary Secretary Michael Falzon his job after there was found to have been “collusion” between the Land Department and Mr Gaffarena.
In 2015, the government acquired half a palazzo in Valletta from the Gaffarenas worth £944.500 and in return paid them €3.4 million in compensation, divided as €516,000 in cash and €2.9 million worth of land.
The Prime Minister then went to court to cancel the deal that was struck by his government.
ivan.camilleri@timesofmalta.com