The court has ordered the freezing of assets of former chief of staff Keith Schembri and his family members, as well as his company Kasco’s top employees and senior people in Brian Tonna’s Nexia BT as well as his family members, on suspicion of money laundering. The asset freeze also applies to their related companies.

The court ordered an investigation as well as asset freezing on individuals involved with Schembri while including a long list of companies he owns, following an application by the Attorney General.

While all his family members are included in the court order, one of Schembri’s daughters – Francesca – is missing from the list.

The court ordered all financial institutions listed to cooperate and give full access to information pertaining to the individuals and companies involved in the decree to the police.

Nexia BT set up the Panama companies for Schembri and former Minister Konrad Mizzi. Following the announcement that the magisterial inquiry into kickbacks to Schembri through passport sales was finalised, news emerged that the company was divesting its clients and assets.

The court ruling by Judge Edwina Grima notes that it agrees with the Attorney General that there are enough grounds to suspect that the persons and companies listed may have been involved in money laundering.

The individuals listed are ordered to provide the Attorney General with details of the source of the funds through which the suspects acquired their property and other assets within 24 hours. Any transfer of these assets to third parties is prohibited.