The President has granted a Presidential Pardon to oil trader George Mario Farrugia, resident at Mosta, who is one of the entrepreneurs at the heart of the Enemalta oil procurement scandal and recently offered to turn state witness.

The writ of the Presidential Pardon emphasises that Mr Farrugia has to sign over and return to the Government of Malta any monies, property and gains related to the alleged fuel procurement and within the next five days the witness is to deposit the amount of €250,000 towards the Government of Malta. If in the course of proceedings it results that more monies were gained these are also to be passed to the Government.

The terms also state that the pardon is only regarding offenses related to the procurement of fuel up to today. The state witness pledges to tell the truth during all Police investigations and court proceedings and any inquiry held in connection with fuel procurement.

Should Mr Farrugia fail to truthfully witness in court, the Presidential Pardon will be revoked.

Mr Farrugia together with his lawyers Siegfred Borg Cole and Franco Debono this evening attended talks with the Attorney General Peter Grech and Police Commissioner John Rizzo during which the terms and clauses of the Presidential Pardon were discussed and agreed upon.

The Pardon was signed by the President of Malta George Abela, the Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Attorney General Peter Grech, lawyer Siegfred Borg Cole and now state witness George Farrugia.