Serious Questions for Robert Abela’s Government Over Handling of Wanted Toto’ Riina Linked Individual

Grave concerns arise regarding the action, and apparent inaction, of Maltese authorities under the leadership of Prime Minister Robert Abela in relation to Antonino Ciavarello, the son-in-law of notorious Mafia boss Totò Riina.

Ciavarello, who relocated to Malta together with Maria Concetta Riina, initially resided in Buġibba before moving to Mosta. On 24 January 2022, Italian authorities issued an international arrest warrant against him for alleged Mafia-related activities.

Despite the seriousness of this warrant, no immediate action appears to have been taken by the Malta Police Force.

Even more concerning is the fact that, on 22 March 2022, eight weeks after the international arrest warrant was issued, Ciavarello was granted a Maltese identity card, valid until March 2027, listing a Mosta address. At the time, Identity Malta was led by CEO Mark Mallia, who had only recently been appointed to the role.

Today, Mark Mallia is Robert Abela’s Chief of Staff at OPM.

In addition, Ciavarello was issued a Maltese VAT number (MT26687627) linked to a company registered in Malta, AC Trade, enabling him to operate economically within the country.

These facts raise serious and unavoidable questions: how was an individual subject to an international arrest warrant not only able to remain at liberty in Malta, but also to obtain official documentation and operate a business?

Ciavarello continued to reside in Malta for approximately two years following the issuance of the warrant, until his eventual arrest in February 2024.

Commenting on the case, Momentum leader Arnold Cassola described the situation as “extremely serious,” stating that Maltese authorities failed in their duty to act decisively and instead facilitated circumstances that allowed Ciavarello to evade justice.

This case raises fundamental questions of political responsibility and governance. It demands clear answers from Prime Minister Robert Abela, his administration, and the officials involved, particularly as to why no timely enforcement action was taken and how state entities came to issue official documentation to a wanted individual.

The Maltese public deserves full transparency and accountability on whether institutional failures, or worse, enabled a person linked to organised crime to live and work freely in Malta for an extended period”, Cassola concluded.

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