Carmelo Abela
Carmelo Abela | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) (Social Dialogue and the Electoral Manifesto's Implementation) | |
| In office 15 January 2020 – 26 March 2022 | |
| Prime Minister | Robert Abela |
| Preceded by | Office Established |
| Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion | |
| In office 9 June 2017 – 15 January 2020 | |
| Prime Minister | Joseph Muscat |
| Preceded by | George Vella |
| Succeeded by | Evarist Bartolo Responsible for European & Foreign Affairs |
| Minister for Home Affairs and National Security | |
| In office 9 December 2014 – 9 June 2017 | |
| Prime Minister | Joseph Muscat |
| Preceded by | Emmanuel Mallia |
| Succeeded by | Michael Farrugia |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 10 February 1972 Malta |
| Political party | Labour Party |
| Spouse | Melanie Bugeja |
| Children | 2 |
Carmelo Abela (born 10 February 1972) is a Maltese politician and is serving as an incumbent Labour MP and was the Minister for Home Affairs and National Security. He also served as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion,[1] and as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malta.[2] On 15 January 2020 he was appointed as Minister within the OPM in Robert Abela's cabinet.
Biography
Carmelo Abela was born on 10 February 1972 in Malta.[2]
He won his first general election in 1996, when he was named to the 8th Parliament of Malta.[2] He has since won in 1998, 2003, 2008, and 2013. He was elected Deputy Speaker of the Tenth Parliament on 6 March 2003 and re-appointed on 5 October 2008, resigning as speaker on 5 July 2010.[2]
He has served as Government Whip in the Malta Legislature.[2]
In December 2014, he became Minister for Home Affairs and National Security.[2] As Home Affairs Minister, in January 2017 he stated that the government had “no plans” to extend Maltese citizenship to children born in Malta with migrant parents. Prior to 2001, all children born in Malta were entitled to citizenship, with the law changed to apply to only those born before 1989 in 2001.[3] On 8 June 2017 he was elected Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion.[1]
Criminal allegations
In January 2024, brothers Alfred and George Degiorgio who are currently serving a 40-year jail term each for their role in the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia released a sworn declaration where they stated that Carmelo Abela had helped the mastermind of a botched 2010 HSBC bank robbery. Back in 2010, Carmelo Abela was an employee of the bank. Furthermore, lawyer Jason Azzopardi claimed that Abela had received a €300,000 payment for his role in the plot.[4]
Abela categorically denied the allegations and sued Azzopardi for libel. Interestingly, Abela did not take any legal action against the Degiorgio brothers stating that they are criminals who have nothing to lose.[5]
In March 2024, blogger and journalist Mark Camilleri further alleged that the Malta Police already have evidence against Carmelo Abela. This being a security card and a video of the bank insides, which Abela had given to the Degiorgio brothers in order to access the bank’s safe room where the money was located. Camilleri also stated that the Degiorgio brothers would not have accused Abela without the existence of the incriminating evidence in hand, since Abela would have easily belied them.[6]
Personal life
He and his wife Melanie have two children.[2]
See also
- List of current foreign ministers
- List of foreign ministers in 2017
- List of ministers for home affairs of Malta
References
- ^ a b Camilleri, Ivan (June 9, 2017), "Outgoing Cabinet fares well at polls", Times of Malta, retrieved June 9, 2017
- ^ a b c d e f g "Hon. Carmelo Abela MP - Minister for Home Affairs and National Security", Parlament Ta’ Malta, archived from the original on June 6, 2017, retrieved June 9, 2017
- ^ Diacono, Tim (January 5, 2017), "Home Affairs Minister rejects calls to give migrant children born in Malta citizenship", Malta Today, retrieved June 9, 2017
- ^ "Jason Azzopardi presents hitmen's sworn declaration in court over foiled HSBC heist".
- ^ "Degiorgio brothers have nothing to lose, Abela insists when asked about inaction".
- ^ camillerimark (2024-03-02). "The police already have the evidence of Carmelo Abela's involvement in the Qormi HSBC Bank heist". Mark Camilleri. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
External links
Media related to Carmelo Abela at Wikimedia Commons