Yorgen Fenech Acquitted in Daphne Caruana Galizia Murder Trial
A jury found Yorgen Fenech not guilty by 8-1 on both charges linked to Daphne Caruana Galizia's assassination. Malta reacts with calls for accountability.
Fenech walks free as jury returns 8-1 not guilty verdict
Jurors acquitted Yorgen Fenech by an 8-1 majority on both charges connected to the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, Lovin Malta reports, bringing the 55-day trial to a close on Wednesday evening. Fenech left court a free man, having consistently denied the charges throughout the proceedings.
The verdict has reignited public demands for answers nearly nine years after Caruana Galizia was killed.
PN MEP Peter Agius voiced the question now circulating widely across Malta: "So who killed Daphne?? Almost nine years have passed and we remain without an answer."
Fellow PN MEP David Casa called the outcome "catastrophic for Malta" and a "devastating victory for impunity", whilst stating that the pursuit of truth and justice would not cease.
Momentum leader Arnold Cassola called for fresh investigations into individuals allegedly involved in what his party characterised as the "wider conspiracy" behind the assassination, specifically naming Keith Schembri and Joseph Muscat.
Caruana Galizia's sister, Corinne Vella, also demanded accountability. "Many people are angry and want to know what to do. You can demand accountability," she wrote, going on to raise a series of questions about the evidence, witnesses, and the conduct of the case.
Moviment Graffitti activist Andre Callus described the verdict as evidence of serious injustice in Malta, expressing deep frustration at the result.
PN MP Eve Borg Bonello directed her words at Caruana Galizia herself. "Daphne did and still deserves justice. Malta deserves justice," she wrote, adding: "We can't and won't stop here."
Source: Lovin Malta