Malta: Businessman cleared in murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia

A jury in Valletta has acquitted businessman Yorgen Fenech of involvement in the 2017 car-bomb killing of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Malta: Businessman cleared in murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia

A court jury in Valletta has acquitted businessman Yorgen Fenech in connection with the 2017 car-bomb assassination of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. The 44-year-old defendant was cleared of charges including complicity in murder and criminal conspiracy, Süddeutsche Zeitung reports.

The ruling arrives nearly nine years after Galizia was killed by an explosion inside her vehicle close to her residence on 16 October 2017. At age 53, she ranked among Malta’s most prominent investigative reporters, having published numerous articles on graft within the country’s political and business elite.

Earlier proceedings saw three hitmen admit guilt for executing the bombing; they are currently serving sentences between 15 and 40 years. Another two individuals, found guilty of procuring the explosives used in the attack, were handed life terms.

Fenech’s case, regarded as one of the lengthiest murder trials ever held in Malta, concluded with his acquittal. The slaying drew global scrutiny and stands as the most significant homicide case in the history of the small EU country.

Source: Süddeutsche Zeitung — https://www.sueddeutsche.de/panorama/mordfall-daphne-caruana-galizia-malta-geschaeftsmann-li.3541448

Source: Süddeutsche Zeitung