Family and media advocates condemn acquittal in Caruana Galizia murder case
The acquittal of Yorgen Fenech in the killing of Daphne Caruana Galizia has been met with widespread condemnation. Her family said the ruling denied her justice, while media freedom groups warned of a dangerous message. The 2017 assassination had already led to a political crisis in Malta.
The verdict, delivered Wednesday, marks a dramatic turn in a case that had already reshaped Maltese politics. Caruana Galizia was 53 when she was killed by a car bomb in 2017, an assassination that triggered unprecedented protests and ultimately brought down a government, according to the report. Fenech, a wealthy businessman, had stood accused of masterminding the killing.
The case carried international weight due to Caruana Galizia's investigative work, which included reporting connected to the Panama Papers. Her family stated the ruling denied her justice, while media freedom groups warned the acquittal sends a dangerous message about accountability for violence against journalists. The article notes the assassination had already provoked a political crisis in Malta.
This acquittal may have a chilling effect on investigative journalism across Europe, signaling that even the most high-profile killings of reporters can go unpunished. Media freedom advocates' warnings suggest the ruling could embolden those who target journalists and deepen public cynicism about judicial systems in smaller EU states. The family's response reflects broader concerns that justice for Caruana Galizia remains incomplete, which may fuel further protests and erode trust in Malta