EPP chairman Manfred Weber has expressed concern after the Prime Minister’s chief of staff filed a criminal complaint against Opposition leader Simon Busuttil.

Keith Schembri yesterday filed the complaint after the Opposition leader asked the courts for a magisterial inquiry to investigate money-laundering allegations stemming from the Panama Papers.

Mr Weber said that the fact that a Prime Minister's chief of staff filed a criminal complaint against an Opposition leader was a worrying sign for democracy and the rule of law.

"I call on the Maltese government not to resort to methods that put them at risk. Additionally, we are still awaiting clarifications from Prime Minister Muscat on his involvement in the Panama case," Mr Weber said.

Reacting on Thursday, Dr Busuttil hit out at what he said were “fascist” attempts by the government to try to silence him.

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