Burn a practically defenceless individual to save exposure and embarrassment of the powerful and politically-connected: Politics 101.
This is very close to a conspiracy theory, Creampuff and as such I am loathe to subscribe to it.
Having been involved in AeroMed(Helicopter) operations I can see the new CASR bringing extra costs and change, and locking out of smaller operators from this field. Commensurate increase of costs passed onto the client.