A local bank employee, targeted by police investigations over the past three months, was granted bail after pleading not guilty to misappropriating confidential data of the bank.

The 36-year old formerly high-ranking official was arraigned under arrest on Monday, pleading not guilty to having allegedly unlawfully accessed computer data, making unauthorized copies and misappropriating reserved and confidential documents, in breach of corporate liability laws.

Such a breach rendered the accused liable, if found guilty, to a fine of between €20,000 and €2 million in terms of the Criminal Code.

A two-fold ban, on the publication of the accused’s name as well as that of the bank, was upheld by the court after hearing defence lawyer Roberto Montalto explain how his client had been on police bail and had been cooperating with investigators over the past months.

Disclosing the man’s identity as well as his former place of work could potentially frustrate further investigations which could lead to the possible incrimination of other officials, even higher up, Dr Montalto argued.

A request for bail was not objected to by the prosecution as long as adequate conditions were imposed.

Dr Montalto pointed out that his client had released three police statements in the presence of his lawyer, which meant that such statements would stand.

In the light of such submissions, duty magistrate Doreen Clarke upheld the request for bail against a deposit of €4,000, a personal guarantee of €5,000 and a duty to sign the bail book once a week.

The court also ordered the man not to approach the prosecution witnesses in any manner.

Inspector Shaun Friggieri prosecuted.