Jump to content

Carmelo Abela: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
consistent format throughout
 
(27 intermediate revisions by 16 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Maltese politician}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
|image = PRESS CONFERENCE 2016-09-20 PRAGUE PROCESS Abela cropped.jpg
|image = PRESS CONFERENCE 2016-09-20 PRAGUE PROCESS Abela cropped.jpg
Line 4: Line 5:
|name = Carmelo Abela
|name = Carmelo Abela
|honorific-suffix = [[Parliament of Malta|MP]]
|honorific-suffix = [[Parliament of Malta|MP]]
|office = [[List of Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Malta|Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion]]
|office = Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM)<br />{{small|(Social Dialogue and the Electoral Manifesto's Implementation)}}
|primeminister = [[Joseph Muscat]]
|primeminister = [[Robert Abela]]
|term_start = 9 June 2017
|term_start = 15 January 2020
|term_end =
|term_end = 26 March 2022
|predecessor = [[George Vella]]
|predecessor = ''Office Established''
|successor =
|successor =
|office1 = [[List of Ministers for Home Affairs of Malta|Minister for Home Affairs and National Security]]
|office1 = [[List of Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Malta|Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion]]
|primeminister1 = [[Joseph Muscat]]
|primeminister1 = [[Joseph Muscat]]
|term_start1 = 9 December 2014
|term_start1 = 9 June 2017
|term_end1 = 9 June 2017
|term_end1 = 15 January 2020
|predecessor1 = [[Emmanuel Mallia]]
|predecessor1 = [[George Vella]]
|successor1 = [[Michael Farrugia]]
|successor1 = [[Evarist Bartolo]]<br />{{small|Responsible for European & Foreign Affairs}}
|office2 = [[List of Ministers for Home Affairs of Malta|Minister for Home Affairs and National Security]]
|primeminister2 = Joseph Muscat
|term_start2 = 9 December 2014
|term_end2 = 9 June 2017
|predecessor2 = [[Emmanuel Mallia]]
|successor2 = [[Michael Farrugia]]
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1972|2|10|df=y}}
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1972|2|10|df=y}}
|birth_place = [[Malta]]
|birth_place = [[Malta]]
Line 24: Line 31:
|children = 2
|children = 2
}}
}}
'''Carmelo Abela''' (born 10 February 1972) is a [[Maltese people|Maltese]] politician and is serving as an incumbent [[Partit Laburista|Labour]] [[House of Representatives of Malta|MP]] and was the Minister for Home Affairs and National Security. He also served as the Deputy [[Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malta]].<ref name="MP_Home"/> On 8 June 2017 he was appointed [[List of Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Malta|Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion]].<ref name="TimesofMalta_Camillieri_2017"/>
'''Carmelo Abela''' (born 10 February 1972) is a [[Maltese people|Maltese]] politician and is serving as an incumbent [[Partit Laburista|Labour]] [[House of Representatives of Malta|MP]] and was the Minister for Home Affairs and National Security. He also served as [[List of Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Malta|Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion]],<ref name="TimesofMalta_Camillieri_2017"/> and as Deputy [[Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malta]].<ref name="MP_Home"/> On 15 January 2020 he was appointed as Minister within the OPM in [[Robert Abela]]'s cabinet.


==Biography==
==Biography==
Carmelo Abela was born on 10 February 1972 in [[Malta]].<ref name="MP_Home"/>
Carmelo Abela was born on 10 February 1972 in [[Malta]].<ref name="MP_Home"/>


He won his first general election in 1996, when he was named to the 8th Parliament of Malta.<ref name="MP_Home"/> He has since won all the following parliamentary elections, 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.<ref name="MP_Home"/>
He won his first general election in 1996, when he was named to the 8th Parliament of Malta.<ref name="MP_Home"/> 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.<ref name="MP_Home"/>


He has served as Government Whip in the Malta Legislature.<ref name="MP_Home"/>
He has served as Government Whip in the Malta Legislature.<ref name="MP_Home"/>
Line 40: Line 47:
| date =January 5, 2017
| date =January 5, 2017
| url = http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/73175/abela_rejects_calls_to_give_citizenship_to_stateless_maltaborn_children_#.WTs5yhPyuRs
| url = http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/73175/abela_rejects_calls_to_give_citizenship_to_stateless_maltaborn_children_#.WTs5yhPyuRs
| access-date = June 9, 2017 }}</ref> On June 8, 2017, he was elected Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion.<ref name="TimesofMalta_Camillieri_2017">{{Citation
| access-date = June 9, 2017 }}</ref> On 8 June 2017 he was elected Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion.<ref name="TimesofMalta_Camillieri_2017">{{Citation
| last =Camilleri
| last =Camilleri
| first = Ivan
| first = Ivan
Line 48: Line 55:
| url = https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20170609/local/outgoing-cabinet-fares-well-at-polls.650248
| url = https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20170609/local/outgoing-cabinet-fares-well-at-polls.650248
| access-date = June 9, 2017 }}</ref>
| access-date = June 9, 2017 }}</ref>

== 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 Malta|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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jason Azzopardi presents hitmen’s sworn declaration in court over foiled HSBC heist |url=https://newsbook.com.mt/en/jason-azzopardi-presents-hitmens-sworn-declaration-in-court-over-foiled-hsbc-heist/}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Degiorgio brothers have nothing to lose, Abela insists when asked about inaction |url=https://newsbook.com.mt/en/degiorgio-brothers-are-criminals-and-have-nothing-to-lose-abela-insists-when-asked-on-inaction/}}</ref>

In March 2024, blogger and journalist [[Mark Camilleri]] further alleged that the [[Malta Police Force|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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=camillerimark |date=2024-03-02 |title=The police already have the evidence of Carmelo Abela’s involvement in the Qormi HSBC Bank heist |url=https://markcamilleri.org/2024/03/02/the-police-already-have-the-evidence-carmel-abelas-involvement-in-the-qormi-hsbc-bank-heist/ |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=Mark Camilleri |language=en-US}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
He and his wife Melanie have two children.<ref name="MP_Home">{{Citation
He and his wife Melanie have two children.<ref name="MP_Home">{{Citation
| title =Hon. Carmelo Abela MP - Minister for Home Affairs and National Security
| title = Hon. Carmelo Abela MP - Minister for Home Affairs and National Security
| newspaper = Parlament Ta’ Malta
| newspaper = Parlament Ta’ Malta
| date =
| date =
| url = http://www.parlament.mt/abela-carmelo
| url = http://www.parlament.mt/abela-carmelo
| access-date = June 9, 2017}}</ref>
| access-date = June 9, 2017
| archive-date = June 6, 2017
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170606051307/http://www.parlament.mt/abela-carmelo
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 61: Line 79:
*[[List of current foreign ministers]]
*[[List of current foreign ministers]]
*[[List of foreign ministers in 2017]]
*[[List of foreign ministers in 2017]]
*[[List of Ministers for Home Affairs of Malta]]
*[[List of ministers for home affairs of Malta]]


==References==
==References==
Line 67: Line 85:


==External links==
==External links==
{{commonscatinline}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110725141023/http://www.carmeloabela.org/Biography/tabid/1196/Default.aspx Official Website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110725141023/http://www.carmeloabela.org/Biography/tabid/1196/Default.aspx Official Website]


Line 76: Line 95:
|-
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[George Vella]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[George Vella]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Malta|Minister of Foreign Affairs]]|years=2017–present}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Malta|Minister of Foreign Affairs]]|years=2017–2020}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Evarist Bartolo]]}}
{{s-inc}}
{{s-end}}
{{s-end}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Abela, Carmelo}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Abela, Carmelo}}
[[Category:1972 births]]
[[Category:1972 births]]
⚫
[[Category:Government ministers of Malta]]
[[Category:Labour Party (Malta) politicians]]
[[Category:Labour Party (Malta) politicians]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Maltese Roman Catholics]]
[[Category:Maltese Roman Catholics]]
[[Category:Members of the House of Representatives of Malta]]
[[Category:Members of the House of Representatives of Malta]]
[[Category:Foreign ministers of Malta]]
[[Category:Ministers for foreign affairs of Malta]]
⚫
[[Category:Interior ministers of Malta]]
[[Category:Trade ministers of Malta]]
[[Category:20th-century Maltese politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century Maltese politicians]]




Latest revision as of 22:44, 27 November 2024

The Honourable
Carmelo Abela
MP
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 MinisterRobert Abela
Preceded byOffice Established
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion
In office
9 June 2017 – 15 January 2020
Prime MinisterJoseph Muscat
Preceded byGeorge Vella
Succeeded byEvarist Bartolo
Responsible for European & Foreign Affairs
Minister for Home Affairs and National Security
In office
9 December 2014 – 9 June 2017
Prime MinisterJoseph Muscat
Preceded byEmmanuel Mallia
Succeeded byMichael Farrugia
Personal details
Born (1972-02-10) 10 February 1972 (age 52)
Malta
Political partyLabour Party
SpouseMelanie Bugeja
Children2

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

He and his wife Melanie have two children.[2]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Camilleri, Ivan (June 9, 2017), "Outgoing Cabinet fares well at polls", Times of Malta, retrieved June 9, 2017
  2. ^ 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
  3. ^ Diacono, Tim (January 5, 2017), "Home Affairs Minister rejects calls to give migrant children born in Malta citizenship", Malta Today, retrieved June 9, 2017
  4. ^ "Jason Azzopardi presents hitmen's sworn declaration in court over foiled HSBC heist".
  5. ^ "Degiorgio brothers have nothing to lose, Abela insists when asked about inaction".
  6. ^ 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.
[edit]

Media related to Carmelo Abela at Wikimedia Commons

Political offices
Preceded by Minister for Home Affairs and National Security
2014–2017 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister of Foreign Affairs
2017–2020 		Succeeded by


Flag of MaltaPolitician icon

This article about a Maltese politician is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Carmelo_Abela&oldid=1259940787"