Day: 21 November 2016

Members of the Public Security Service helped a number of Belgian nationals obtain residency permits illegally, the Public Prosecutor confirmed in a press statement on Monday.
The statement was issued in order to avoid the spread of information based on rumours, the Public Prosecutor’s office said.
A number of facts have come to light that taken together may constitute corruption and influence peddling, the office said, adding that Monaco’s Public Security Service was asked to investigate the facts on October 3.
“It soon became apparent that a former public security police official who had been in retirement for some years had made arrangements with a dozen members linked to the same Belgian family, all holding residence cards in Monaco. During his tenure with the Public Security Service and subsequently, this official, with the probable assistance of two other employees of the Public Security, (appears to) have favoured the issuance of fictitious residence titles to these persons for an agreed annual remuneration,” the office stated.
These persons retained the status of resident of the Principality without staying in Monaco, and continued to live in Belgium. Officially renting apartments, these people sublet their dwellings in a hidden way with the help of a real estate agency, which led to a belief in the legitimate occupation of the premises.
The Prosecutor General of the Principality, accompanied by the Chief of the Judicial Police, travelled to Brussels on October 21 to discuss the matter with counterparts from in the Federal Prosecutor’s Office.
The Belgian justice system is currently investigating the offences committed by its nationals.
In Monaco, an investigating judge was handed the file and instructed on the matter on October 28, and investigations have been opened for trafficking in influence, corruption, forgery and false use, breach of trust and money laundering.
Like all other states, Monaco is not immune to the corruption of some, the General Prosecutor’s Office said on Monday.
However, there is a real mixture of satisfaction mixed with consternation and sadness because the image of the Public Security will suffer from this situation, even if it is only a matter limited to a few titles of residence benefiting from a family of the European Union, the General Prosecutor’s Office added. The residency permits were awarded several years ago by officials now retired and who were, until now, considered to be above suspicion.
“Its state-of-the-art legislation allows it to pursue such cases and the Principality, in line with its international commitments, intends to combat this form of crime. The rule of law must prevail,” the Office said.
 
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All six members of the editorial staff of the privately-owned radio station Radio Monaco have been told they will no longer have jobs from the end of this year, several news sources report. Two other posts will also go.
Radio Monaco, owned by Gildo Pallanca-Pastor, broadcasts from Menton to St-Tropez and was due to celebrate its tenth anniversary in 2017.
One employee, quoted by 20 Minutes, denounced the “extreme brutality” of the firings.
Station manager Richard Borfiga said that Radio Monaco “will keep four people.” Gildo Pallanca-Pastor, owner of electric vehicle firm Venturi, is reported to be seeking ways to keep the loss-making station on the air.

One of the world’s lowest-lying countries, and the most at risk of rising sea levels, the Seychelles, is hoping for support from Monaco in minimising global warming.
Last week Seychelles President Danny Faure held bilateral talks with His Serene Highness Prince Albert on the margins of the 22nd Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP 22) in Marrakesh.
Recalling the deep attachment of the Principality to issues related to sustainable development, President Faure stressed that Seychelles and Monaco enjoy excellent relations.
The two leaders spoke at length on how the two countries can collaborate more and effect change on numerous global issues, most notably on climate change and the need to raise awareness on the necessity of including oceans in the implementation of the Paris Agreement.
President Faure and Prince Albert also discussed various topics of common interest, including the preservation of world heritage, ocean governance, and the importance of more robust action in addressing the various vulnerabilities of small nations.
READ MORE: Prince presents Foundation award at COP22