Maltese jury acquits Yorgen Fenech in Daphne Caruana Galizia murder case

A jury in Malta acquitted businessman Yorgen Fenech on Wednesday, clearing him of charges related to the 2017 car bomb killing of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. The verdict comes six years after Caruana Galizia was murdered, a crime that shocked the nation and sparked widespread protests against government corruption.

The case has drawn significant attention due to Caruana Galizia's work exposing corruption among Malta's political elite, including revelations from the Panama Papers. Fenech was indicted in 2021, accused of masterminding the assassination and orchestrating the payment for it. He pleaded not guilty and maintained his innocence throughout the trial. With this acquittal, he is the last of six individuals charged in connection with the plot to face trial.

Caruana Galizia, known for her fearless reporting, was killed on October 16, 2017, when a bomb detonated in her car as she drove near her home. Her investigations targeted corrupt practices within both the ruling party and the opposition. An independent inquiry released in 2021 found that the Maltese state bore responsibility for her murder, highlighting a culture of impunity that reaches the highest levels of government. Fenech had previously been involved in a controversial government contract for a power station, further tying him to the issues raised by Caruana Galizia's work.

Following the verdict, Caruana Galizia's family expressed their disappointment, stating that justice for her remains unachieved nearly a decade after her assassination. They emphasized the need for institutional reform to ensure that no journalist faces similar dangers in the future. The acquittal has reignited calls for accountability in Malta, as many continue to seek answers for a crime that has left a lasting impact on the country’s political landscape.