Malta's former prime minister Muscat charged with corruption

Malta's former prime minister Joseph Muscat (C) waves as he arrives at the Law Courts in Valletta, Malta, on May 28, 2024. Malta's former prime minister Joseph Muscat was among 14 people who were charged on Tuesday with corruption, fraud and money laundering over a controversial privatization of three state hospitals. (Photo by Jonathan Borg/Xinhua)

VALLETTA, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Malta's former prime minister Joseph Muscat was among 14 people who were charged on Tuesday with corruption, fraud and money laundering over a controversial privatization of three state hospitals.

Muscat is facing a raft of charges. His former chief of staff Keith Schembri, and former health minister Konrad Mizzi were also in the dock.

All defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.

The charges were issued following the conclusion of a magisterial inquiry into a deal signed by Muscat's government to hand the running of three public hospitals to a private company Vitals Global Healthcare in 2015.

Malta's former prime minister Joseph Muscat (C) leaves the Law Courts in Valletta, Malta, on May 28, 2024. Malta's former prime minister Joseph Muscat was among 14 people who were charged on Tuesday with corruption, fraud and money laundering over a controversial privatization of three state hospitals. (Photo by Jonathan Borg/Xinhua)

Malta's former prime minister Joseph Muscat (C) leaves the Law Courts in Valletta, Malta, on May 28, 2024. Malta's former prime minister Joseph Muscat was among 14 people who were charged on Tuesday with corruption, fraud and money laundering over a controversial privatization of three state hospitals. (Photo by Jonathan Borg/Xinhua)