Yorgen Fenech, one of the wealthiest individuals in Malta, has been acquitted of all charges related to the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was known for her investigations into corruption. This ruling, anticipated to be contested by the prosecution, is a significant disappointment for Caruana Galizia’s family and for advocates of press freedom who view the case as pivotal in the ongoing struggle for journalistic protection in Europe.
Nearly nine years following Caruana Galizia’s tragic death at the age of 53 due to a car bomb in October 2017, a jury comprising six women and three men unanimously found Fenech, aged 44, not guilty of the two charges against him: complicity in her murder and conspiracy to commit a crime. The announcement of the verdict, which revealed an eight-to-one vote in favor of acquittal, elicited gasps and cheers from the audience, including family members and media representatives.
Fenech, a prominent businessman and property developer with ownership stakes in two Hilton hotels and a power station in Malta, had been accused by prosecutors of orchestrating the murder by paying €150,000 through intermediary Melvin Theuma. Prosecutors had sought a life sentence for him.
The assassination of Caruana Galizia, who had exposed corruption involving Fenech and various political figures, ignited a significant political scandal in Malta, becoming a catalyst for anti-corruption movements and press freedom advocacy. The aftermath of her murder led to the resignation of Joseph Muscat, the then-prime minister, along with two ministers and his chief of staff.
The trial, which spanned two months, unveiled Fenech’s extensive political connections and raised serious concerns regarding potential interference in the police investigation. Testimonies from key witnesses, including Fenech himself, suggested that the prime minister’s chief of staff had improperly shared sensitive information with Fenech.
Prosecutor Anthony Vella summarized the case by stating that Fenech believed he could manipulate the justice system through his political ties, challenging the jury to consider whether Fenech possessed enough influence to orchestrate Caruana Galizia’s murder.
The defense contended that the investigation should have focused higher up the chain of command, implying that the actual mastermind was Keith Schembri, the former chief of staff to Muscat. Defense attorney Charles Mercieca emphasized, “All roads lead to Keith, and all bridges to Keith were burned,” during his closing arguments.
During his testimony, Fenech asserted, “I never ordered the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia, or anyone else. I had no involvement in her death.” He claimed he only acted as an intermediary between Schembri and Theuma, alleging that he was a victim of blackmail by the taxi driver. Schembri, who testified during the trial, denied any wrongdoing, asserting that he was not involved in any leaks or aware of the murder plot.
