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We note that local media in the Republic of Malta has been interviewing SUHA ARAFAT, the widow of the late leader of the PLO, YASSER ARAFAT, who is alleged to have stolen between nine and eleven billion US Dollars from aid money his organization received while he presided over the Palestine Liberation Organization. In truth and in fact, Ms. Arafat has been a fugitive from justice in Tunisia for fifteen years, accused of corruption there by the authorities, but evading extradition to date through her political connections in Malta, who allow her to maintain a residence there.
When she lived the high life in Paris, Ms. Arafat reportedly diverted the equivalent of fifteen million Dollars from PLO funds held in Switzerland, according to reports from an investigation conducted by the French Government. How much of that money remains in Maltese banks is not known, because Suha was known to spend huge amounts of money on interior decoration while living in France. Her Tunisian arrest warrant is due to corruption charges arising out of schools that she owned an interest in, coupled with her relationship to Tunisia's former national leader, who was himself ousted for rampant corruption.
Arafat, who was given Maltese citizenship by the Labour Party, lives in one of the most exclusive areas in malta, in a town known as Madilena, in a villa worth many millions of Euros. She is driven around town by a chauffeur. Their daughter attended the University of Malta for her B.A. degree; curiously, her photograph has never been published.
The Maltese Government currently finances the operation of the "Embassy" that the Palestinian Authority maintains in Malta. The structure is a designated historical building in the middle of the Maltese town of Sliema. Unfortunately, it ias been neglected by the occupants, and is literally falling apart. Malta's taxpayers are supporting the high life-style of the resident "Ambassador," The European Union pays the PA over one billion Dollars a year, to support its budget, but most of the money allegedly goes into the pockets of government officials.
There have never been any legal efforts in Malta to recover any of the stolen funds claimed by Palestinian officials to rightfully belong to the Palestinian People that are in her possession, which in and of itself confirms her level of influence among Malta's ruling Labour Party, including rumors of links to the country's disgraced and fallen former Prime Minister, JOSEPH MUSCAT. It appears that the Maltese Government will allow Arafat to evade justice by residing there indefinitely.
Contributed by Kenneth Rijock - Financial Crime Consultant
Chronicles of Monte Friesner - Financial Crime Analyst 
