Constitutional case filed to force magistrate to recuse herself of Pilatus case

NGO Repubblika has filed a constitutional case in a bid to force magistrate Nadine Lia to recuse herself from the NGO's case concerning Pilatus Bank.

After refusing to recuse herself multiple times, the situation has become very serious, forcing the NGO to push its battle up to the highest court and to consider exploring avenues for justice in international fora if need be, Repubblika president Robert Aquilina told reporters at a press conference in front of the court on Monday.

Lia is hearing a case filed by Repubblika against the police commissioner and the attorney general, who the NGO says failed to press charges against various Pilatus officials despite an inquiry recommending that more than a year ago.

Repubblika has argued that Lia is unfit to hear that case because of her ties to lawyer Pawlu Lia, her father-in-law.

Pawlu Lia served as a lawyer for former minister Konrad Mizzi, former prime minister Joseph Muscat and his wife Michelle and Keith Schembri, Muscat's chief of staff. The NGO said all are linked to the Pilatus case and Egrant, or have ties with foreign investors who were involved in questionable deals with Muscat's government and held accounts in Pilatus...