Malta’s longest-running murder trial concluded recently when a jury found Yorgen Fenech, a 44-year-old businessman and heir to a major fortune, not guilty of ordering the assassination of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. The charges against him were dismissed by an 8-1 jury majority, allowing him to walk free after spending nearly seven years in and out of custody. Caruana Galizia died in October 2017 when a bomb placed under her car’s driver’s seat detonated meters from her home, killing her at age 53. Her reporting had targeted powerful figures and politicians, including Fenech, ultimately leading to the resignation of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and other government officials.
Three individuals accused of planting the bomb were arrested within weeks of the killing. Two pleaded guilty to murder and received life sentences, while the third received a 15-year sentence in exchange for providing evidence. The acquittal means the investigation into who actually hired the bombers must essentially restart. The opposition leader has called for parliament to reconvene and demanded strengthened press protections and anti-corruption measures. Caruana Galizia’s family characterized the verdict as a denial of justice, while the attorney general is weighing whether to pursue a retrial, though success appears unlikely given the jury’s decisive margin.
Trial proceedings revealed extensive obstacles faced by investigators, including attempts to sabotage the murder inquiry and unauthorized leaks of sensitive case details. Evidence suggested information was being disclosed from within the prime minister’s office. A taxi driver named Melvin Theuma served as the prosecution’s key witness, having secured a pardon two years after the murder in exchange for testimony. Theuma had acted as a middleman between Fenech and the bombers and provided secret recordings to authorities. His involvement came after he attempted suicide while in protective custody, requiring intensive support to return to testify.
Caruana Galizia had been an influential journalist, newspaper co-founder, lifestyle magazine publisher, and columnist whose blog Running Commentary ranked among Malta’s most-read news sites. Her investigative work, particularly coverage involving Panama Papers offshore company data, made her numerous enemies and subjected her to public vilification, arson attacks, and other threats. Her family initially lacked confidence in local authorities and sought assistance from international media outlets including the Guardian and Reuters to investigate her death independently.
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