PN demands answers from Anton Refalo on Qala property tied to mafia boss

The Nationalist Party has urged Agriculture Minister Anton Refalo and Prime Minister Robert Abela to address mounting questions following contradictory claims made by Refalo about a Qala property allegedly linked to mafia boss Totò Riina.

In a statement, the PN called on Refalo to clarify a series of contradictions regarding a property in Qala that was reportedly used by Sicilian mafia boss Totò Riina while on the run.

Questions arose following a report aired on Italian programme Lo Stato delle Cose on Rai 3, during which Refalo was interviewed without knowing he was being recorded.

During the interview, Refalo said that the Qala house in question belonged to him, but said he could not recall when he had purchased it or from whom.

However, after the programme was broadcast, presenter Massimo Giletti said that he received correspondence from Refalo claiming that the property was not his and had never been his.

Refalo instead said that the house had only been leased, without specifying from whom, directly contradicting his earlier comments.

The presenter subsequently questioned which version was accurate and invited Refalo to clarify the facts.

The PN also pointed to Refalo’s remarks during the interview in which he said he did not know who Totò Riina was.

When asked how he could be unaware that the Sicilian mafia boss had allegedly stayed in the property, Refalo reacted angrily, telling the journalist not to interfere and that it was none of his business, the PN said.

The party further noted that Refalo said he could not remember when he acquired the property, how long he had held it, or who the previous owner was.

When pressed, Refalo initially said he did not know when he had obtained the house, before saying that he had acquired it prior to getting married.

When he was asked when he got married, he replied that it was “some 25 years ago, I think,” without providing a specific date, the PN said.

The PN said that if Refalo has nothing to hide, he should clearly state whether the property is his, how it was acquired, or, if it was leased, from whom.

It also called on Refalo to explain what is inside the villa, including any artworks, after footage showed him leaving the property carrying a large painting.

The party questioned whether Prime Minister Robert Abela had sought clarification from Refalo following the revelations, and whether the Police Commissioner had summoned him for questioning or ordered any searches at the Qala property.

“These are questions the public is asking, and the people of Malta and Gozo deserve clear answers,” the PN said.

 

PL reacts

Reacting in a statement, the Labour Party said that the PN has remained “hostage to its extremist faction’s politics.”

The PL said that the latest “coordinated political attack” on Minister Anton Refalo further confirmed how the Nationalist Party, under Alex Borg, remains hostage to its extremist faction.

The party described this as a “style of politics that resorts to personal attacks while tarnishing the country’s name abroad.”

The PL said that the Nationalist Party and its leadership cannot deny the fact that Refalo holds no title over the property in question.

“Moreover, he rented this same property from third parties nine years after the individual mentioned was arrested,” the PL said.

The Labour Party said that no matter how much the Nationalist Party try to twist the truth, these are the facts.

“Just as it is also a fact that the individual in question was allegedly able to enter and leave Malta freely while the Nationalist Party was in government. For this reason, the PN continues to lack credibility today,” the Labour party said.

 

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