Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Malta Urges Calm After Acquittal in Journalist Murder Trial
Daphne Caruana Galizia was an investigative journalist in Malta.
She was killed by a car bomb in 2017.
Three men have already been convicted of carrying out the killing.
Two others were convicted of supplying the bomb.
Yorgen Fenech was accused of ordering the murder, but a jury found him not guilty.
The jury voted 8-1 for his acquittal.
Caruana Galizia’s family and press freedom supporters were upset by the decision.
Malta’s opposition also protested and called for parliament to discuss it.
The government asked people to remain calm while the result is considered.
Businessman Yorgen Fenech was acquitted of commissioning Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder by an 8-1 jury vote.
Caruana Galizia was killed in a car bomb attack outside her home in October 2017.
Three men were convicted of carrying out the killing, while two others were convicted of supplying the bomb.
The victim’s family, Reporters Without Borders and Malta’s opposition criticized the acquittal.
The government urged restraint, while prosecutors can appeal only in exceptional circumstances involving points of law.
- Who
- Businessman Yorgen Fenech was acquitted in the murder case involving investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia; the Maltese government, her family, Reporters Without Borders and the opposition responded.
- What
- A jury acquitted Fenech of complicity in murder and criminal association to commit murder.
- When
- The verdict was delivered late on Wednesday; Caruana Galizia was killed in October 2017.
- Where
- The case concerns Malta, and the opposition held a demonstration outside the prime minister’s office.
- Why
- Prosecutors alleged that Fenech wanted Caruana Galizia killed because she was about to reveal information about him; the government urged restraint after the verdict.
Calls for Restraint and Acceptance
Calls for Accountability and Further Scrutiny
Response to the verdict
Calls for Restraint and Acceptance
The Maltese government urged prudence, warning that public comments could do more harm than good.
Calls for Accountability and Further Scrutiny
Caruana Galizia’s family criticized the jury’s decision, while Reporters Without Borders said it was beyond outraged.
Political reaction
Calls for Restraint and Acceptance
The government did not directly comment on the verdict and called for calm.
Calls for Accountability and Further Scrutiny
The opposition Nationalist Party held a silent demonstration and called for parliament to be recalled to discuss the outcome.
Responsibility for the murder
Calls for Restraint and Acceptance
Fenech denied the accusations, and his defense pointed to Keith Schembri, who denied involvement; police told the court Schembri had never been a suspect.
Calls for Accountability and Further Scrutiny
Prosecutors alleged that Fenech wanted Caruana Galizia dead because she was about to reveal information about him.
- Verdict
- Yorgen Fenech was acquitted by an 8-1 jury vote.
- Charges
- He faced charges of complicity in murder and criminal association to commit murder.
- Victim
- Investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was killed in a car bomb attack.
- Date of killing
- October 2017.
- Other convictions
- Three men were convicted of carrying out the killing, and two others were convicted of supplying the bomb.
- Appeal rules
- Prosecutors cannot appeal except in exceptional circumstances involving points of law.
- Government response
- The government urged prudence in public comments and said it took note of the verdict.