European Parliament president Antonio Tajani has said that the Italian Guardia di Finanza should be included in the investigation into the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia.
“I have suggested that the Guardia di Finanza be included in the investigation of Daphne’s murder so they may follow all the financial avenues,” Mr Tajani said on social media.
The Guardia di Finanza is a militarised police force responsible for dealing with financial crime and smuggling.
Read: ‘Europol should have role in Daphne probe’
It has also evolved into Italy’s primary agency for suppressing the illegal drug trade.
MEP Ana Gomes welcomed the suggestion, saying that their involvement “may be needed”.
She also called for Italian anti-Mafia prosecutors to be involved in the investigation.
Their involvement was necessary “in view of what [German MEP] Sven Giegold, [Nationalist MEP] David Casa and I heard in Malta, showing that the Daphne Caruana Galizia murder investigation is stalled and others on anti-money-laundering and anti-corruption did not even start,” she said.
The Guardia di Finanza is a militarised police force responsible for dealing with financial crime and smuggling
During their visit, Ms Gomes highlighted concerns about the investigation into Ms Caruana Galizia’s murder. She said she was concerned after hearing that Magistrate Anthony Vella, heading the murder inquiry, would soon be made a judge.
Read: Former judge lambasts MEPs
The Portuguese MEP feared the promotion would be another spoke in the wheels of the inquiry and would send it “back to square one”.
All three MEPs expressed frustration at what they termed the authorities’ failure to adequately address concerns of corruption and wrongdoing.
“Questions of corruption and criminality have to be addressed by the police and the judiciary, as well as by the political establishment,” Ms Gomes said.
“And that’s where we see no action or action being blocked.”