A jury in Malta delivered a verdict on Wednesday exonerating businessman Yorgen Fenech, who had been accused by prosecutors of orchestrating the car bomb assassination of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in 2017. This decision has reignited calls for accountability within the Mediterranean nation.
The murder of Caruana Galizia sent shockwaves throughout Europe, leading to widespread protests that ultimately resulted in the resignation of a prime minister and revealed a troubling culture of impunity in Malta, the smallest country in the European Union.
Fenech, a well-known figure in Maltese business circles, faced charges of complicity and criminal conspiracy in 2021, with prosecutors alleging that he planned and financed the attack. He maintained his innocence throughout the trial. The jury’s decision on Wednesday was reached with an 8-1 vote, acquitting him of all charges. Following the verdict, Fenech encountered hostile reactions from the public outside the courtroom, while the opposition Nationalist Party staged a demonstration later that evening to advocate for justice.
Fenech was the last of several individuals charged in connection with the assassination plot. Caruana Galizia, who was 53 years old at the time of her death, was killed on October 16, 2017, when a bomb detonated in her vehicle as she drove near her residence.
She had extensively investigated allegations of corruption involving political and business figures in Malta, focusing particularly on associates of former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, who were implicated in offshore dealings revealed by the Panama Papers. Caruana Galizia’s fearless reporting earned her the reputation of being a “one-woman WikiLeaks.”
Both Muscat and his spouse, Michelle, have denied any involvement with companies in Panama. At the time of her assassination, Caruana Galizia was embroiled in over 40 separate libel lawsuits.
Her son, Paul, recounted in a 2018 interview with “60 Minutes” that she was aware of the threats posed by the powerful figures she investigated, which instilled a deep fear in her. Another son, Matthew Caruana Galizia, suggested in a 2020 interview that her gender may have influenced the responses to her work from some individuals in the stories she covered.
The family of Caruana Galizia has long criticized the Muscat administration for its lack of action in resolving her murder. An independent inquiry conducted in 2021 concluded that the Maltese government bore responsibility for creating an environment conducive to her assassination, although it did not find evidence of direct governmental involvement.
Fenech, who is among Malta’s wealthiest individuals, was part of a consortium awarded a contentious contract to construct a power plant for the government. His arrest in 2019, as he attempted to flee Malta by yacht, triggered mass protests that ultimately led to Muscat’s resignation.
After being acquitted on Wednesday, Fenech exited the Valletta courthouse amidst a tumultuous scene, with vocal dissent from onlookers. His attorney, Gianella De Marco, expressed satisfaction with the jury’s decision, stating that it indicated disbelief in a key prosecution witness who had received a presidential pardon in exchange for testimony.
Caruana Galizia’s children have been prominent voices in the quest for accountability following her death. They were present in the courtroom during the verdict announcement but did not speak to the media afterward. In a statement shared on Facebook, the family lamented that the verdict denied their mother the justice she warranted.
“Nine years post-Daphne’s horrific murder, the institutional shortcomings that allowed for her death remain unresolved and unaddressed. True justice means ensuring no one else faces the same dangers,” the statement emphasized. “Our nation failed to safeguard Daphne. It has an obligation to prevent further tragedies.”
The opposition Nationalist Party held a silent march later that evening, acknowledging the verdict while demanding accountability for those who orchestrated the assassination. “After years of inquiries, investigations, and legal actions, justice remains elusive for both Daphne’s family and our nation,” the party stated.
The government responded by asserting its commitment to supporting the investigation and ensuring justice is achieved. It highlighted that several individuals have already received significant prison sentences in connection with the case.
As is customary in Maltese criminal trials, no cameras were permitted in the courtroom. In 2022, George Degiorgio and his brother Alfred both admitted to carrying out the murder and were sentenced to 40 years in prison. In 2025, two additional men received life sentences for their roles in the conspiracy, while another individual, Vincent Muscat, pleaded guilty in 2021 and received a 15-year sentence. A self-identified middleman, taxi driver Melvin Theuma, was granted a presidential pardon in 2019 in return for his testimony.
The assassination, alongside the culture it revealed, has prompted calls for reforms within Malta’s judicial and legal frameworks, as well as enhanced protections for journalists. Tim Gibson, deputy advocacy director for the Committee to Protect Journalists, remarked on Wednesday that the organization would persist in its pursuit of justice, emphasizing that the verdict was disheartening for Caruana Galizia’s family, who continue to await accountability nearly nine years after her death.
