- Maltese tycoon has been found not guilty of involvement in the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.
- Caruana Galizia's sister, Corinne Vella, stated: “Everybody is much more at risk now, because this signals you can kill journalists with impunity.”
- Corinne Vella's eldest son criticized the verdict as a “terrible decision by the jurors” that could have lasting consequences for the country.
- Opposition leader Alex Borg has called for the urgent reopening of parliament to discuss the verdict, emphasizing that journalism is the backbone of democracy.
Yorgen Fenech, a prominent Maltese businessman, was acquitted of charges related to the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, a verdict that has sparked outrage and fear among advocates for press freedom.1
“Everybody is much more at risk now, because this signals you can kill journalists with impunity,” said Corinne Vella, Caruana Galizia's sister.2
The jury's decision, delivered with an eight-to-one majority, has raised alarms about the implications for journalism in Malta, a country already grappling with issues of corruption and political influence.
Fenech was accused of orchestrating the murder, allegedly paying €150,000 to have Caruana Galizia killed due to her investigative reporting that exposed corruption involving high-ranking officials, including former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.
The fallout from Caruana Galizia's murder led to significant political upheaval, forcing Muscat and other officials to resign.
“The jurors did not believe Melvin Theuma,” Fenech's defense lawyer argued, suggesting that the investigation should have focused on higher political figures, including Muscat's former chief of staff, Keith Schembri.
An independent inquiry previously concluded that the state bore responsibility for creating an atmosphere of impunity surrounding the murder, highlighting the urgent need for accountability and reform in Malta's political landscape.
The verdict has prompted calls for a national reckoning regarding corruption and the protection of journalists in Malta.
“Corinne Vella warned the acquittal signals journalists can be killed with impunity, while the journalist's eldest son called it a 'terrible decision by the jurors.' Opposition leader Alex Borg urged parliament's urgent reopening, calling the verdict a 'black spot' on the Labour government.”
The Guardian
-2c2ebe2e6ad64ff7ff307605ad63c1f2.jpg)
