MEP David Casa has called on Dubai-based Noor Bank to release identifying information on the ultimate beneficiary owner of mystery Dubai company 17 Black.
Mr Casa said accounts held by Noor Bank were used to receive funds suspected of being linked to criminal activity in Malta.
He forwarded proof of transfers and leaked reports from Malta’s anti-money laundering agency (FIAU) to back his request.
“In April this year, world-renowned journalists published email correspondence with the notorious Mossack Fonseca indicating that 17 Black would funnel €150,000 monthly to (Tourism Minister) Konrad Mizzi and another €150,000 to (Chief of Staff) Keith Schembri. Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri are politically exposed persons at the highest levels of the Maltese government. The only plausible explanation for these funds is criminal activity related to kickbacks from corruption,” the MEP argued.
Read: $1.6m wired to Mizzi and Schembri's Panama 'target client'
He also called on Noor Bank to cease any business relationship that could be ongoing, and ensure an investigation and criminal proceedings were launched in the UAE.