Possible discrepancies in testimony given by former FIAU manager Jonathan Ferris at the Egrant inquiry sparked criminal investigations against him for perjury, a court heard on Monday. That inquiry, conducted by former magistrate, now Judge Aaron Bugeja, was wrapped up in July, 2018 and among its conclusions was a recommendation to investigate three individuals, namely Ferris, former Pilatus Bank employee Maria Efimova and Nexia BT's Karl Cini. Ferris had claimed during his inquiry testimony that he identified a $600,000 transaction from an Azeri politically exposed person to Buttardi, a company owned by a close friend of Michelle Muscat, the former prime minister's wife. Forensic analysis carried out as part of the inquiry failed to find any trace of the alleged transaction between Leyla Aliyeva, daughter of Azerbaijan’s president Ilham Alijev, and the New York-based fashion company Buttardi. Ferris had claimed the payment was masked as a loan. Testifying in court was former police inspector Matthew Vella who, together with his superior, now superintendent Yvonne Farrugia serving in the European Public Prosecutor's Office, had been tasked with handling the statements of the...