Abela Rejects Link Between Snap Election and Fenech Trial
Prime Minister Robert Abela insists that his decision to call an early election had nothing to do with the jury trial of Yorgen Fenech for the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.
Abela Rejects Link Between Snap Election and Fenech Trial
Prime Minister Robert Abela rejected allegations that his decision to call an early general election was linked to the jury trial of businessman Yorgen Fenech over the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.
According to a Times of Malta report, Abela said that the trial "absolutely never" influenced his decision to dissolve Parliament and call an election in May, nine months before the end of his government's mandate.
During the election campaign, Abela maintained that the timing of the election was driven by an "extraordinary international situation" and broader geopolitical developments.
When asked whether the election was called before the start of Fenech's trial, which began on Wednesday, the Prime Minister insisted that "this was never a criterion" that he considered.
"I have already said that the national interest dictated that this was the right moment to call an election," said Abela, adding that the government was focused on responding to geopolitical challenges.
When pressed further, he said that the trial "never crossed my mind", insisting that there was "no connection" between his government and the proceedings.
Fenech pleaded not guilty to accusations stating that he was the mastermind behind the 2017 murder of Caruana Galizia. His jury trial began on 1 July, nearly seven years after his arrest.
Source: Lovin Malta
Source: Lovin Malta