Edric Zahra has been appointed as the new CEO of the agency Identità by the Minister for Home Affairs, Security and Employment Byron Camilleri.

Identità’s role is to carry out the responsibilities of the Public Administration in areas related to passports, visas, identity documents, work and residence permits, as well as the registration of public deeds and civil status records.

Colonel Zahra joined the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) in 1999. After serving for 25 years, he held several local and international operational and administrative roles, including;

• Deputy Commander of the Armed Forces of Malta
• Head of the Human Resources Department within the Force
• Commanding Officer 1 Regiment
• Staff Officer responsible of the Armed Forces of Malta Civil-Military Cooperation
• Officer Commanding B Company 1 Regiment
• Executive Officer (second-in-command) of P61 within Maritime Squadron
• Officer-in-charge of the Rapid Deployment Team and Search and Rescue unit
• Platoon Commander within C Company 1 Regiment, and
• Assistant Adjutant to the Commanding Officer 1 Regiment

He also served abroad twice, first in Tripoli, Libya, as part of a Mobile Training Team helping the Libyan Naval Forces after the uprising and later in Athens, Greece, as National Contingent Commander during a FRONTEX Operation.

Colonel Zahra had completed several academic achievements from the University of Malta, including;

• Diploma in Sports and Leisure
• Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Anthropology
• Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
• Master in Maltese Studies
• Masters in Advocacy

He graduated from the International Maritime Law Institute with an Advanced Diploma in Maritime Law and from the US Naval War College with a Diploma in Strategy and War, Theatre Security Decision Making and Joint Maritime Operations.

Minister Camilleri congratulated Colonel Zahra for this new role within Identità, noting that with his skills and experience “he is well positioned to continue leading the Agency forward.”

Minister Camilleri also thanked Steve Agius for his important work at the Identity agency during the past years.