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June 20, 2025
Hello John,
Following on from last week’s sentencing in the case of murdered Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, OCCRP and partners have uncovered how companies linked to one of the convicted men were able to move millions — despite an asset freeze against him.

In Cyprus, hopes for recovering millions in unpaid taxes have been revived, following the reinstatement of a sham company linked to oligarch Roman Abramovich.

Switzerland’s draconian banking secrecy law continues to undermine press freedom, with investigative reporters’ homes searched on charges that can carry a prison sentence.

A journalist detained in Kyrgyzstan continues to be denied access to legal representation, raising concerns about due process. This comes amid a broader crackdown on investigative journalism.

Read on for the latest in global crime and corruption.


** New Investigations
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** Despite Asset Freeze, Companies Linked to Bomb Supplier in Daphne Caruana Galizia Case Managed to Move Millions
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Last week, Robert Agius and Jamie Vella were sentenced to life in prison for supplying the explosives used in the 2017 murder of Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Reporters from OCCRP, Times of Malta, Amphora Media, and IrpiMedia have found that a company owned by Agius’s wife continued to buy and sell millions of euros worth of properties — even as Maltese police investigated him for his role in the murder of Caruana Galizia, and for allegedly laundering drug proceeds through real estate — despite multiple asset freeze orders dating back to 2013.

A company owned by Agius and his family members also sold a property for 700,000 euros while his assets were technically frozen.

The asset freezes were ordered by a Malta court due to the serious criminal allegations Agius was facing, but they applied only to Agius, and not to companies or family-linked assets. Among the properties his wife’s company bought during this period was a 470,000-euro villa called “Le Chateau” that he subsequently used as his primary residence.

The Caruana Galizia case has highlighted gaps in Malta’s enforcement of financial crime regulations, as well as revealing how personal networks, political influence, and weak institutions have repeatedly allowed powerful individuals to evade justice in the small island nation.

In testimony, the former head of Malta police’s Economic Crimes Unit Ian Abdilla described how investigations involving members of the Agius family had repeatedly fallen apart because they were “well connected” with police, customs, and “politicians on both sides.”
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** More OCCRP Reporting
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** Cyprus Court Reinstates Abramovich-Linked Firm in VAT Probe
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A court in Cyprus has reinstated a defunct company linked to oligarch Roman Abramovich, in a bid to recover 14 million euros in unpaid VAT.

Blue Ocean Yacht Management Ltd was owned by a Cyprus trust benefiting Abramovich and operated for over 20 years before dissolving in July 2023. The firm was alleged to have been part of a fake superyacht leasing scheme ([link removed]) set up to evade EU taxes between 2005 and 2010.

Last month, it was revealed in parliament ([link removed]) that the company had closed without paying tax, which drew sharp criticism ([link removed]) from MPs. Cyprus’ tax commissioner Sotiris Markides requested the company’s restoration following pressure from lawmakers.

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** Journalist’s Office and Home Searched in Swiss Probe
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Swiss authorities have confirmed that they searched the Zurich offices of financial news outlet Inside Paradeplatz this month, as well as the home of its editor Lukas Hässig.

The raid was conducted as part of a criminal investigation into possible violations of Switzerland’s banking secrecy law, centred on whether Hässig disclosed confidential banking information in 2016 reporting on the former CEO of Raiffeisen bank and his chief adviser.

Switzerland’s Federal Act on Banks and Savings Banks criminalizes the disclosure of confidential banking information, including account data and transactions. Violations are punishable by up to five years in prison.

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** ICYMI: Read an opinion piece from our journalists about this draconian law ([link removed]) , and the threat it poses to press freedom → ([link removed])
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** Kyrgyz Journalist Held Without Lawyer
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A cameraman from OCCRP partner outlet Kloop continues to be denied access to lawyers in Kyrgyzstan while being held in a detention facility, raising alarm over due process violations.

Cameraman Aleksandr Aleksandrov and former Kloop staffer Zhoomart Duulatov were arrested on May 28 in Bishkek, when their homes were raided and equipment seized.

Both remain in pre-trial detention on charges of “inciting mass unrest”, until at least July 21. This comes amid a broader crackdown on independent media in the country.

Read the full story → ([link removed])


** Twin Twist in Fake UN Agency Scammer Case
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China-born conman Cary Yan has told OCCRP that he was prosecuted in the United States under his twin brother’s name, marking the latest twist in a saga that saw Yan convicted for bribing politicians from the Marshall Islands in order to build a futuristic city-state in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

“We’re twins,” he told OCCRP. “That’s why the FBI got everything mixed up in their report.”

Yan and his girlfriend Gina Zhou pleaded guilty in federal court in New York in late 2022 over the bribery scheme intended to win support from Marshall Islands politicians for an autonomous special economic zone.

Read the full story → ([link removed])


** Following Up
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** Telegram Responds to Investigation, Privacy Concerns
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Social media platform Telegram has rejected the findings of a recent OCCRP and IStories investigation linking the platform’s infrastructure to Russian intelligence ([link removed]) .

The company told BBC Russia and mobile video platform Vot Tak that it operates all servers internally and insisted that “no unauthorized access is possible”. Telegram also claimed it has “never shared personal messages” or “encryption keys” with third parties.

Read the full story → ([link removed])

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** News Briefs
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* Teenagers in Sweden and Denmark are at risk of being recruited to commit crimes for cash, Europol warned yesterday, ([link removed]) saying that there has been an increase in instances of minors being approached over encrypted messaging apps and offered up to 20,000 euros ($22,966) to carry out shootings, bombings, and arson attacks.
* Dozens of journalists, activists, and opposition members in Georgia have been summoned to face court ([link removed]) on charges of “insulting” public officials, an offense recently outlawed by an amendment pushed through by the Georgian Dream ruling party.
* The European Parliament is set to examine a decision ([link removed]) by the European Commission to remove the United Arab Emirates from its list of high-risk countries for money laundering.
* In Kenya, activists are calling for the resignation of senior security officials ([link removed]) following a death in custody.
* Yemeni authorities say the Houthis are playing a major role in regional drug trafficking ([link removed]) , turning Yemen into a new hub for the Captagon trade.
* Italian authorities have seized assets valued at over 10 million ([link removed]) euros ($11.5 million) in a large-scale fraud involving construction tax credits.
* A criminal network alleged to have smuggled over 200 migrants and large quantities of drugs between Morocco and Spain has been dismantled, Europol announced yesterday ([link removed]) , with the group’s leaders believed to be among the eight suspects arrested.


** OCCRP News
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Spots for this Next-IJ Cross-Border Investigative Training Program are limited.

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The Summit brings together philanthropists, impact investors, and social innovators to discuss global challenges.

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** Work With Us
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