Albert Buttigieg has been charged in court together with and ex-footballer Darren Debono’s step-daughter Florinda Sultana, who fronted companies that manage two fish restaurants allegedly involved in laundering money linked to oil smuggling.

Both are facing criminal action in their personal capacity, while Sultana also stands charged as former director of Nesvan Company Ltd and MSI Catering Ltd and Buttigieg as director of Luzzu Catering Ltd, the operators of Porticello and Capo Mulini restaurants, respectively. They are pleading not guilty.