A Romanian prince who was recently after being detained in Malta on the strength of a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) has spoken out about his arrest and time behind bars. Prince Paul-Philippe al Romaniei, 75, said he travelled to the country in April for an event organised by the Knights of Malta, when he was approached by police at the Westin Dragonara hotel in St Julian’s and taken into custody. “I’m not used to being arrested, so when you come to Malta for an important event where you’re becoming a grand master and the guest of honour, and you’re accosted by four people saying you’re under arrest, it’s not very pleasant,” he said.
In , the Sovereign Military Order of Malta – which claims continuity with the original Knights Hospitaller – told the prince was not a member of the organisation, nor had he been invited to any of its events. The prince was arrested as he returned to the hotel after a day out with his wife Lia Georgia Triff, who described the arrest as “professional” but “suspect” because it took place on a Sunday – speculating that “few lawyers” would have picked up the phone that day. “They didn’t manhandle my husband.
It was startling because it was plainclothed police and in an unmarked car, so we were not sure what was going on...
luckily, it wasn’t in front of the dignitaries that flew in; it would have been a circus at that point,” she said. The prince was denied bail due to the seriousness of the corruption charges.