A retired high-ranking army officer was awarded a promotion backdated by 23 years, giving him the right to claim thousands in arrears, the Times of Malta can reveal.

According to an official announcement in The Malta Government Gazette, Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela promoted Major Joseph Mary Galea to the rank of lieutenant colonel with effect from January 20, 1992.

Contacted by this newspaper to confirm the date, a ministry spokeswoman said it was correct. She said this was part of an exercise to correct past injustices in the army through a commission headed by former Brigadier Maurice Calleja.

Ironically, in the year when the injustice was allegedly committed, the army was under Brig. Calleja’s command.

The ministry said that, apart from Lt. Col. Galea, another two retired officers were given backdated promotions by the minister.

Read more in the Times of Malta.

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