Suspect acquitted in Malta journalist murder case
Yorgen Fenech found not guilty in Daphne Caruana Galizia's assassination.
1Case outcome
Maltese businessman Yorgen Fenech was accused of masterminding the 2017 car bomb assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. After eight hours of deliberation, the jury acquitted Fenech with an eight-to-one majority. The prosecution has announced an appeal. This verdict means those who ordered the murder still haven't faced justice, leaving the case in a state of partial impunity nine years after the crime.
2International reactions
IPI Executive Director Scott Griffen criticized the verdict, stating "A journalist was assassinated in an EU member state and nine years later no court has established who ordered it." IPI called on Maltese authorities to pursue the appeal transparently and continue investigating everyone involved in planning, commissioning, or enabling the murder. Media freedom organizations expressed deep concern about the implications for press freedom in Europe.
3Case developments
Five people have been convicted in connection with the murder, including two sentenced to life in 2025 for supplying the bomb. However, those who ordered the killing remain unpunished. The 2021 public inquiry's recommended institutional reforms have not been implemented. The case represents a mixed outcome - while some perpetrators were convicted, the masterminds have evaded justice, maintaining a climate of partial impunity in Malta.
4Significance for press freedom
Daphne Caruana Galizia was an investigative journalist known for exposing corruption in Malta. Her assassination was a severe blow to press freedom in Europe. IPI and Media Freedom Rapid Response partners emphasize that full justice remains the only acceptable outcome. The verdict raises concerns about journalists' safety and working conditions, particularly for those investigating corruption and organized crime in Europe.
5Legal process
The 2025 convictions of Robert Agius and Jamie Vella for supplying the bomb were seen as significant progress. However, Fenech's acquittal shows the case remains unresolved. IPI expressed solidarity with Galizia's family and their legal team, who have fought for justice for nine years. All eyes are now on the prosecution's appeal, which represents the next critical phase in this prolonged legal battle for accountability.
6Background of the murder
Daphne Caruana Galizia was a prominent investigative journalist who exposed corruption in Malta, including through her work on the Panama Papers. Her 2017 car bomb assassination sparked massive protests and led to the prime minister's resignation. Her family continues to seek justice internationally, making this case a symbol of the dangers faced by journalists who investigate corruption and abuse of power.
7Journalist murders in Europe
The Galizia case stands as one of the most shocking journalist murders in an EU country, comparable to the 2018 assassination of Slovak journalist Ján Kuciak. Both cases highlight growing concerns about press freedom and journalist safety in Europe. The EU is developing new mechanisms to protect journalists, but implementation remains inconsistent across member states, leaving many journalists vulnerable.
8Importance of justice
The Galizia case represents more than a murder trial - it's a battle for press freedom and democratic values. Journalist safety and protection for corruption fighters are fundamental to healthy democracies. Failure to achieve full justice in this case could set a dangerous precedent not just for Malta but for press freedom across Europe, potentially emboldening those who would silence critical voices through violence.
Original article: linkedin.com — Malta'da gazeteci cinayeti davasında şüpheli beraat etti