Updated 12.30pm
The Russian whistleblower who fled Malta last year fearing for her life has turned herself in to Greek police, the Times of Malta has learnt.
Former Pilatus Bank employee Maria Efimova was behind allegations that the Panama company Egrant was owned by the Prime Minister’s wife, Michelle Muscat.
Slain journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia published Ms Efimova’s account, which included details about an alleged $1 million transfer to Egrant from Azerbaijan’s ruling family.
Read: Whistleblower tells MEPs of Egrant and PM’s wife
Read: Pilatus Bank whistleblower testifies about unpaid wages
After spending months on the run, sources said Ms Efimova surrendered to police voluntarily over the arrest warrant issued by the Maltese authorities.
Ms Efimova went to Athens recently to vote in the Russian elections.
Ms Efimova surrendered to police voluntarily over the arrest warrant issued by the Maltese authorities
After sending out several desperate messages to her contacts last night, Ms Efimova is understood to have voluntarily turned herself in to the Greek police.
Greek police have confirmed she has been transferred to the courts.
Socialist MEP Ana Gomes urged Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to ensure police protection for Ms Efimova and her family. "Danger is real," the MEP, who led a rule of law delegation to Malta last January, wrote on Twitter.
Ms Gomes' calls for protection were echoed by the other MEPs who formed part of the ad hoc delegation, with all five issuing a joint statement to that effect on Tuesday afternoon.
Leading #EP #RuleOfLaw mission to #Malta, following #PanamaPapers and assassination of #DaphneCaruanaGalizia, I ask @tsipras_eu to ensure police protection to Russian whistleblower Maria Efimova & her family. Danger is real. https://t.co/xlI0cfAJC9
— Ana Gomes, MEP (@AnaGomesMEP) March 20, 2018
Ms Efimova fled the island in June after informing the courts about purported intimidation attempts against her family in Russia.
The Russian whistleblower is facing fraud charges in Malta on the basis of a criminal complaint filed by Pilatus Bank.
A European and international arrest warrant was issued by the Maltese courts shortly after she left the island.
Cypriot media reported in January that Cyprus had also put out an arrest warrant, linked to a case dating back to 2014.