Carmelo Abela

 It is reasonable to assume that the suspect participated in all JHA Council meetings during his term as Minister of Interior, inter alia in the capacity as the chairman. Further, as Minister for Foreign and European Affairs he liaised with the European Union, International Organizations and Institutions. (See Malta Report, Decision Making Structures)

Abela had initially talked about a deal between Italy and Malta and later retracted this statement, alluding to merely a “close collaboration” between the two countries. (See Malta Report, Malta-Italy Deal)

Abela was described to be part of the decision-making process within the Maltese government as policies and positions being collectively discussed by Muscat, his chief of staff Keith Schembri, the Commander of the Armed Forces of Malta Jeffrey Curmi, and the Interior Minister Carmelo Abela. In his function in the Ministry for Home Affairs, National Security and Law Enforcement he occupied a key position within the decision-making and enforcement process for migration matters. (See Malta Report, Decision-making structures)

January 2017:  very likely that Abela discussed the secret Maltese deal with Libya when he met Italian Interior Minister Minniti agreeing to produce a common solution to migration issues shortly before Minniti negotiated the Memorandum of Understanding with Libya (See Malta Report, II. Malta-Italy Deal).

As Minister of Foreign Affairs it is reasonable to assume that the suspect participated in all Foreign Affairs Council meetings during is term.

As Minister of Foreign Affairs it is reasonable to assume that the suspect participated in all Foreign Affairs Council meetings during is term.