Maltese authorities hiding sea rescue operation figures – local press

Malta’s armed forces have refused to provide figures on migrant rescue operations requested by Times of Malta, claiming their publication could endanger national security. Maltese authorities have systematically refused to comment on reports claiming they are pushing back migrants, endangering their lives, and to release data on their rescue operations, the online edition of local daily Times of Malta said on Sunday, April 23. Authorities however refused to provide the data requested, claiming that “the release of such information would, or could reasonably be expected to cause irreparable harm and damage to security and/or defence of Malta,” the publication said. The newspaper reported that authorities claimed the data was “of a sensitive nature” and that divulging information about the AFM’s operations would go against “national security interests”. In May 2022, the daily appealed to the Office of the Information and Data Protection Commissioner, which has not yet decided on the case.