A Dubai bank shuttered accounts earlier this year of a secret offshore company belonging to a Maltese businessman since charged with the murder of an investigative journalist, two banking officials have said.

The businessman, Yorgen Fenech, was charged last month with complicity in the 2017 killing of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/malta-protesters-block-entry-to-prime-ministers-office-267243">Daphne Caruana Galizia</a>, who had written about the company, 17 Black Limited, shortly before her death. He has denied the accusation.

The banking officials said&nbsp;that prior to the murder accusation, Noor Bank had handed Fenech two cheques totalling 6.1 million dirhams ($1.7 million) when in April 2019 it closed the accounts established in the name 17 Black.

One official, the acting head of the United Arab Emirates' Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Ali Faisal Ba'Alawi, said the bank had decided to hand back the money, deeming the customer to be "high risk". This happened just months after a Reuters investigation had identified Fenech as the owner.

Senior police sources in Malta have told that they are investigating whether 17 Black's activities may have been a potential motive for Caruana Galizia's killing. Fenech denies any wrongdoing.

Noor Bank did not respond to a request for comment.

Dated April 23, 2019, the cheques have not yet been deposited.&nbsp;

Fenech declined to say whether he owned 17 Black. The two cheques in his name are the first documented evidence that connects him to the company. His lawyers did not respond to requests for comment on the two cheques.

Eight months before her death, Caruana Galizia wrote in her blog about 17 Black. She alleged it was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/malta-police-arrest-businessman-fenech-in-journalist-murder-case-sources-263407">connected to Maltese politicians</a>, but no evidence has so far emerged to back up her assertion.

In a telephone interview, Ba'Alawi said the money was released to Fenech because no valid freezing order had been received from any authority, including Malta.

If requested, the cash could still be blocked, he said.

"I can confirm these cheques have not been deposited anywhere so everything remains as is," he said, speaking after being shown by Reuters copies of the cheques issued to Fenech.

Another senior UAE financial official, who declined to be named, also told that the cheques were authentic.

"HIGH RISK"

The copies of the cheques were passed by an anonymous source to the Daphne Project, a group of media organisations that has continued some of Caruana Galizia's work and is coordinated by Forbidden Stories, an NGO in Paris.

Registered as an offshore company in the UAE emirate Ajman, 17 Black opened accounts at Noor Bank in 2015. In 2017, after Caruana Galizia wrote about it, it was renamed Wings Development Ltd.

Ba'Alawi said the decision to close the accounts was made by the bank.

"The cheques you have a copy of, are manager cheques, meaning the accounts have been closed because the customer is deemed to be of a high risk and beyond the bank's risk appetite or threshold," he said.

In Malta, officials had previously been sharply critical of the UAE. One senior investigator closely briefed on the Caruana Galizia case told&nbsp;that the UAE's responses to questions about 17 Black had been incomplete and that information was supplied in the form of financial intelligence which, under the rules by which is its shared, could not be disclosed by police in court evidence.

Ba'Alawi said his Financial Intelligence Unit could and would give full permission to Malta to use the intelligence as evidence for a police investigation or court, if Malta made a request.

"In our case, if that consent is sought, we provide that consent," he said.

Ba'Alawi added that if any information was lacking "they have full right to ask for further information".

In Malta, a spokesman for Ba'Alawi's counterpart, the Financial Intelligence and Analysis Unit (FIAU) said that, under Malta’s system, it was for the police and courts to make additional requests for legal assistance from another country, either to produce evidence that could be used in court or to freeze funds.

The Maltese senior investigator in the case said that legal discussions were ongoing between the UAE and Malta to secure all necessary evidence and seize any funds, if appropriate.

A Dubai bank shuttered accounts earlier this year of a secret offshore company belonging to a Maltese businessman since charged with the murder of an investigative journalist, two banking officials have said.

A Dubai bank shuttered accounts earlier this year of a secret offshore company belonging to a Maltese businessman since charged with the murder of an investigative journalist, two banking officials have said. The businessman, Yorgen Fenech, was charged last month with complicity in the 2017 killing of Daphne Caruana Galizia, who had written about the company, 17 Black Limited, shortly before her death. He has denied the accusation. The banking officials said that prior to the murder accusation, Noor Bank had handed Fenech two cheques totalling 6.1 million dirhams ($1.7 million) when in April 2019 it closed the accounts established in the name 17 Black. One official, the acting head of the United Arab Emirates' Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Ali Faisal Ba'Alawi, said the bank had decided to hand back the money, deeming the customer to be "high risk". This happened just months after a Reuters investigation had identified Fenech as the owner. Senior police sources in Malta have told that they are investigating whether 17 Black's activities may have been a potential motive for Caruana Galizia's killing. Fenech denies any wrongdoing. Noor Bank did not respond to a request for comment. Dated April 23, 2019, the cheques have not yet been deposited. Fenech declined to say whether he owned 17 Black. The two cheques in his name are the first documented evidence that connects him to the company. His lawyers did not respond to requests for comment on the two cheques. Eight months before her death, Caruana Galizia wrote in her blog about 17 Black. She alleged it was connected to Maltese politicians, but no evidence has so far emerged to back up her assertion. In a telephone interview, Ba'Alawi said the money was released to Fenech because no valid freezing order had been received from any authority, including Malta. If requested, the cash could still be blocked, he said. "I can confirm these cheques have not been deposited anywhere so everything remains as is," he said, speaking after being shown by Reuters copies of the cheques issued to Fenech. Another senior UAE financial official, who declined to be named, also told that the cheques were authentic. "HIGH RISK" The copies of the cheques were passed by an anonymous source to the Daphne Project, a group of media organisations that has continued some of Caruana Galizia's work and is coordinated by Forbidden Stories, an NGO in Paris. Registered as an offshore company in the UAE emirate Ajman, 17 Black opened accounts at Noor Bank in 2015. In 2017, after Caruana Galizia wrote about it, it was renamed Wings Development Ltd. Ba'Alawi said the decision to close the accounts was made by the bank. "The cheques you have a copy of, are manager cheques, meaning the accounts have been closed because the customer is deemed to be of a high risk and beyond the bank's risk appetite or threshold," he said. In Malta, officials had previously been sharply critical of the UAE. One senior investigator closely briefed on the Caruana Galizia case told that the UAE's responses to questions about 17 Black had been incomplete and that information was supplied in the form of financial intelligence which, under the rules by which is its shared, could not be disclosed by police in court evidence. Ba'Alawi said his Financial Intelligence Unit could and would give full permission to Malta to use the intelligence as evidence for a police investigation or court, if Malta made a request. "In our case, if that consent is sought, we provide that consent," he said. Ba'Alawi added that if any information was lacking "they have full right to ask for further information". In Malta, a spokesman for Ba'Alawi's counterpart, the Financial Intelligence and Analysis Unit (FIAU) said that, under Malta’s system, it was for the police and courts to make additional requests for legal assistance from another country, either to produce evidence that could be used in court or to freeze funds. The Maltese senior investigator in the case said that legal discussions were ongoing between the UAE and Malta to secure all necessary evidence and seize any funds, if appropriate.

UAE shuts accounts of Maltese tycoon accused of journalist's murder

Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said Friday the main suspect in the 2017 killing of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia would not be granted immunity to disclose what he knows about the case.

Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said Friday the main suspect in the 2017 killing of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia would not be granted immunity to disclose what he knows about the case. After an emergency cabinet meeting that dragged on for more than six hours through the night, Muscat told reporters the decision to deny an immunity request for suspect Yorgen Fenech followed the recommendations of the attorney general and police commissioner. An intensifying probe into the murder of Caruana Galizia, who was blown up by a car bomb in October 2017, has destabilised Muscat's government. This week two ministers and chief of staff Keith Schembri have stepped down from their posts. The death of Caruana Galizia -- a popular journalist and blogger described as a "one-woman WikiLeaks" who exposed corruption in Malta -- shocked the country and sparked protests for justice. Muscat said he recused himself from the decision over Fenech, since the suspect under police interrogation had identified Schembri as the mastermind behind Caruana Galizia's killing, according to sources. "Yorgen Fenech asked for a pardon for the second time after making allegations about Keith Schembri so I did not want to shoulder the responsibility myself and called in the cabinet," Muscat told reporters, saying their decision was unanimous. On Thursday evening, as Muscat and his ministers met behind closed doors, police said Schembri -- who was arrested on Tuesday -- had been released. Political fallout Muscat has been heavily criticised over the government's handling of the case, and on Tuesday vowed to resign if links were found between himself and the murder. On Friday he said his government was "committed to investigate all allegations of illegalities." "I want this case to be closed under my watch," said Muscat. The political fallout of the investigation gathered momentum on Tuesday as Schembri resigned, as did tourism minister Konrad Mizzi, while economy minister Chris Cardona said he was "suspending himself". Fenech, a tycoon whose business interests span the energy and tourism sectors, was arrested on his yacht last week after a middleman in the murder, Melvin Theuma, was offered a pardon to identify those involved. On Thursday, Fenech filed a request in court to remove the chief investigator in the case, Keith Arnaud, alleging that he had been informing Schembri of details in the murder probe. Fenech also alleged that Arnaud had a conflict of interest, having previously sought the chief of staff's help in finding a job for his wife. Caruana Galizia, who exposed cronyism and sleaze within the country's political and business elite, had alleged that Schembri and Mizzi had been involved in corruption. Leaked emails revealed in court appeared to show both politicians stood to receive payments from a Dubai company called 17 Black, owned by Fenech. The family of Caruana Galizia has called for Muscat to resign, saying he has "blood on his hands" for protecting Schembri and Mizzi. The European Parliament will send a mission to Malta, according to German Greens MEP Sven Giegold. A new mission was warranted given "questions around the independence of the judicial system and severe allegations of corruption at the highest levels", said Giegold, who went to the Mediterranean island on a similar assignment after Caruana Galizia's death, in a statement.

Malta PM says no immunity for top suspect in journalist killing

Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat came under increasing pressure to resign Friday as protesters cried foul over the latest twist in the case of slain journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

An intensifying probe into the murder of Galizia, who was killed by a car bomb in October 2017, has destabilised his government.

The Times of Malta said Muscat told associates Friday he plans to resign imminently, though AFP was not able to immediately confirm the report.

This week saw two ministers and Muscat's chief of staff Keith Schembri step down from their posts. Arrested on Tuesday, Schembri was released on Thursday, sparking accusations of a cover-up.

Early Friday, Muscat said the main suspect in Galizia's killing, tycoon Yorgen Fenech, would not be granted immunity to disclose what he knows about the case. He was later released on bail.

"Every minute (Muscat) remains in office he increases the risk of justice not being done," opposition leader Adrian Delia said.

'Judge, jury, executioner'

Muscat has been heavily criticised over the handling of the case, amid allegations he has obstructed justice by protecting high-profile politicians. Earlier this week he vowed to resign if links were found between himself and the murder.

He insisted early Friday that he would remain in power, telling reporters he wanted "this case to be closed under my watch".

His comments infuriated protesters. Fresh demonstrations were planned for later Friday.

"We share Malta's shock and anger at the release of Keith Schembri," the Caruana Galizia family said in a statement.

"At least two witnesses and multiple pieces of physical evidence implicate Schembri in the assassination of our wife and mother," they said.

They accused Muscat of playing "judge, jury, and executioner in an assassination investigation that so far implicates three of his closest colleagues."

'Attempted blackmail'

Muscat said he had recused himself from the decision over Fenech, since the suspect under police interrogation had identified Schembri as the mastermind behind Caruana Galizia's killing, according to sources.

He later said in a statement that he had reported Fenech to the police for attempted blackmail, saying the mogul had threatened to implicate him in the affair if he was not given immunity.

Fenech, a tycoon whose business interests span the energy and tourism sectors, was arrested on his yacht last week after an alleged middleman in the murder, taxi driver Melvin Theuma, was offered a pardon to identify those involved.

That arrest was followed swiftly by the resignation of Schembri and tourism minister Konrad Mizzi, while economy minister Chris Cardona said he was "suspending himself".

Caruana Galizia, who exposed cronyism and sleaze within the country's political and business elite, had alleged that Schembri and then economy minister Mizzi had been involved in corruption. She had named Cardona in a separate case.

Leaked emails revealed in court appeared to show both Schembri and Mizzi stood to receive payments from a Dubai company called 17 Black, owned by Fenech.

The Caruana Galizia family expressed incredulity over Schembri's release, pointing to the fact the former chief of staff and Fenech have the same doctor, who reportedly served as an intermediary, passing secret notes between them.

'Fear for my life'

A Maltese court heard a request by Fenech Friday for the chief investigator in the case, Keith Arnaud, to be removed, amid allegations he had close ties to Schembri and the prime minister. A decision was expected Monday.

"I fear for my life. I'm ready to go all the way for justice to prevail and the truth to come out," Fenech said to journalists.

His lawyer told the court there was proof of ties between Schembri and Theuma, including a photo of the pair "hugging" in the prime minister's office. Schembri's release was "scary" and suggested Arnaud was not impartial, the lawyer said.

The death of Caruana Galizia has raised grave concerns internationally over the rule of law on the tiny Mediterranean island.

"This is happening in the EU, right now. Where is the voice of the European Commission or other EU leaders?" Robert Barrington, former head of Transparency International in the UK, said on Twitter.

The European Parliament is planning to send a mission to Malta "as soon as possible", a parliament source told AFP.

The Institute of Maltese Journalists filed a complaint Friday alleging reporters had been locked in a room at the PM's office in an apparent bid to stop them speaking to cabinet members after the decision not to grant Fenech immunity. 
&nbsp;

Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat came under increasing pressure to resign Friday as protesters cried foul over the latest twist in the case of slain journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat came under increasing pressure to resign Friday as protesters cried foul over the latest twist in the case of slain journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. An intensifying probe into the murder of Galizia, who was killed by a car bomb in October 2017, has destabilised his government. The Times of Malta said Muscat told associates Friday he plans to resign imminently, though AFP was not able to immediately confirm the report. This week saw two ministers and Muscat's chief of staff Keith Schembri step down from their posts. Arrested on Tuesday, Schembri was released on Thursday, sparking accusations of a cover-up. Early Friday, Muscat said the main suspect in Galizia's killing, tycoon Yorgen Fenech, would not be granted immunity to disclose what he knows about the case. He was later released on bail. "Every minute (Muscat) remains in office he increases the risk of justice not being done," opposition leader Adrian Delia said. 'Judge, jury, executioner' Muscat has been heavily criticised over the handling of the case, amid allegations he has obstructed justice by protecting high-profile politicians. Earlier this week he vowed to resign if links were found between himself and the murder. He insisted early Friday that he would remain in power, telling reporters he wanted "this case to be closed under my watch". His comments infuriated protesters. Fresh demonstrations were planned for later Friday. "We share Malta's shock and anger at the release of Keith Schembri," the Caruana Galizia family said in a statement. "At least two witnesses and multiple pieces of physical evidence implicate Schembri in the assassination of our wife and mother," they said. They accused Muscat of playing "judge, jury, and executioner in an assassination investigation that so far implicates three of his closest colleagues." 'Attempted blackmail' Muscat said he had recused himself from the decision over Fenech, since the suspect under police interrogation had identified Schembri as the mastermind behind Caruana Galizia's killing, according to sources. He later said in a statement that he had reported Fenech to the police for attempted blackmail, saying the mogul had threatened to implicate him in the affair if he was not given immunity. Fenech, a tycoon whose business interests span the energy and tourism sectors, was arrested on his yacht last week after an alleged middleman in the murder, taxi driver Melvin Theuma, was offered a pardon to identify those involved. That arrest was followed swiftly by the resignation of Schembri and tourism minister Konrad Mizzi, while economy minister Chris Cardona said he was "suspending himself". Caruana Galizia, who exposed cronyism and sleaze within the country's political and business elite, had alleged that Schembri and then economy minister Mizzi had been involved in corruption. She had named Cardona in a separate case. Leaked emails revealed in court appeared to show both Schembri and Mizzi stood to receive payments from a Dubai company called 17 Black, owned by Fenech. The Caruana Galizia family expressed incredulity over Schembri's release, pointing to the fact the former chief of staff and Fenech have the same doctor, who reportedly served as an intermediary, passing secret notes between them. 'Fear for my life' A Maltese court heard a request by Fenech Friday for the chief investigator in the case, Keith Arnaud, to be removed, amid allegations he had close ties to Schembri and the prime minister. A decision was expected Monday. "I fear for my life. I'm ready to go all the way for justice to prevail and the truth to come out," Fenech said to journalists. His lawyer told the court there was proof of ties between Schembri and Theuma, including a photo of the pair "hugging" in the prime minister's office. Schembri's release was "scary" and suggested Arnaud was not impartial, the lawyer said. The death of Caruana Galizia has raised grave concerns internationally over the rule of law on the tiny Mediterranean island. "This is happening in the EU, right now. Where is the voice of the European Commission or other EU leaders?" Robert Barrington, former head of Transparency International in the UK, said on Twitter. The European Parliament is planning to send a mission to Malta "as soon as possible", a parliament source told AFP. The Institute of Maltese Journalists filed a complaint Friday alleging reporters had been locked in a room at the PM's office in an apparent bid to stop them speaking to cabinet members after the decision not to grant Fenech immunity.

Pressure ups on Maltese PM to resign over slain reporter case

Malta police arrested one of the country's most prominent businessmen on Wednesday in connection with an investigation into the murder of journalist <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/panama-papers-star-streep-says-rich-playing-black-joke-on-world-247048">Daphne Caruana Galizia</a>, two sources said.

Yorgen Fenech was detained after police intercepted his yacht as he tried to leave the Mediterranean island before dawn, sources with knowledge of the matter said.

His arrest came the day after the government said it would offer a pardon to a suspected middleman in the murder of Caruana Galizia if he provided legally binding evidence of who was behind the killing.

The sources did not say if Fenech had been charged.

Fenech's lawyer was contacted for comment but has so far issued no statement.

Judicial authorities have not yet confirmed Fenech's arrest. Under Maltese law, the police would have 48 hours to interrogate and charge a suspect or release them.

Caruana Galizia, an eminent anti-corruption journalist, was killed by a car bomb near the Maltese capital Valletta in October 2017 - a murder that shocked Europe and raised questions about the rule of law on the small island.

Three men suspected of being the killers were arrested in December 2017, but the authorities have so far failed to determine who commissioned the murder.

In a potentially major step forward in the probe, a man arrested last week as part of a separate investigation asked to see police dealing with the Caruana Galizia case and offered to provide the name of the mastermind in return for a pardon.

Fenech is a director and co-owner of a business group that won a large energy concession in 2013 from the Maltese state to build a gas power station on the island.

His luxury yacht Gio left the Portomaso marina, five miles (8 km) north of Valletta, shortly after 5.00 a.m. (0400 GMT). However, the boat was under surveillance and police swiftly stopped it and forced it to return to port, the sources said.

In February 2017, eight months before she died, Caruana Galizia wrote in her blog about a mystery company in Dubai called 17 Black Limited, alleging it was connected to Maltese politicians.

She did not publish any evidence of this and was unable to discover who owned the company. A Reuters investigation https://tinyurl.com/y8coeu3x later identified Fenech as the owner.

According to a December 2015 email, uncovered by Maltese financial regulators, secret Panama companies owned by then Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat's chief of staff, stood to receive payments of up to $2 million from 17 Black for unspecified services.

The email made no reference to the gas power station and there is no evidence any money was deposited with them.

Schembri and Mizzi both told Reuters last October they had no knowledge of any connection between 17 Black and Fenech, or of any plan to receive payments connected to Fenech or the energy project. Fenech denied making any plans to pay any politician or any person or entity connected to them.

Mizzi currently serves as minister for tourism.

The government did not make any immediate comment about Fenech's status.

Malta police arrested one of the country's most prominent businessmen on Wednesday in connection with an investigation into the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, two sources said.

Malta police arrested one of the country's most prominent businessmen on Wednesday in connection with an investigation into the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, two sources said. Yorgen Fenech was detained after police intercepted his yacht as he tried to leave the Mediterranean island before dawn, sources with knowledge of the matter said. His arrest came the day after the government said it would offer a pardon to a suspected middleman in the murder of Caruana Galizia if he provided legally binding evidence of who was behind the killing. The sources did not say if Fenech had been charged. Fenech's lawyer was contacted for comment but has so far issued no statement. Judicial authorities have not yet confirmed Fenech's arrest. Under Maltese law, the police would have 48 hours to interrogate and charge a suspect or release them. Caruana Galizia, an eminent anti-corruption journalist, was killed by a car bomb near the Maltese capital Valletta in October 2017 - a murder that shocked Europe and raised questions about the rule of law on the small island. Three men suspected of being the killers were arrested in December 2017, but the authorities have so far failed to determine who commissioned the murder. In a potentially major step forward in the probe, a man arrested last week as part of a separate investigation asked to see police dealing with the Caruana Galizia case and offered to provide the name of the mastermind in return for a pardon. Fenech is a director and co-owner of a business group that won a large energy concession in 2013 from the Maltese state to build a gas power station on the island. His luxury yacht Gio left the Portomaso marina, five miles (8 km) north of Valletta, shortly after 5.00 a.m. (0400 GMT). However, the boat was under surveillance and police swiftly stopped it and forced it to return to port, the sources said. In February 2017, eight months before she died, Caruana Galizia wrote in her blog about a mystery company in Dubai called 17 Black Limited, alleging it was connected to Maltese politicians. She did not publish any evidence of this and was unable to discover who owned the company. A Reuters investigation https://tinyurl.com/y8coeu3x later identified Fenech as the owner. According to a December 2015 email, uncovered by Maltese financial regulators, secret Panama companies owned by then Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat's chief of staff, stood to receive payments of up to $2 million from 17 Black for unspecified services. The email made no reference to the gas power station and there is no evidence any money was deposited with them. Schembri and Mizzi both told Reuters last October they had no knowledge of any connection between 17 Black and Fenech, or of any plan to receive payments connected to Fenech or the energy project. Fenech denied making any plans to pay any politician or any person or entity connected to them. Mizzi currently serves as minister for tourism. The government did not make any immediate comment about Fenech's status.

Malta police arrest businessman Fenech in journalist murder case: Sources

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UAE shuts accounts of Maltese tycoon accused of journalist's murder

Malta PM says no immunity for top suspect in journalist killing

Pressure ups on Maltese PM to resign over slain reporter case

Malta police arrest businessman Fenech in journalist murder case: Sources