Sabotage, leaks and political ties: the story of the Daphne Caruana Galizia murder trial

Businessman Yorgen Fenech has been acquitted by a Maltese jury of ordering the murder of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. The trial, the longest in Maltese history, concluded with Fenech being found not guilty of voluntary homicide and association with the intent to commit a crime. Caruana Galizia was killed in a car bombing in October 2017, and her reporting had targeted powerful figures, including Fenech and his political connections. While three hitmen have been convicted, the mastermind behind the murder remains unknown. The trial revealed evidence of sabotage and leaks within the investigation, with accusations that sensitive information was being passed from a close associate of the prime minister. Caruana Galizia's family has called the verdict "justice denied," and the attorney general is considering an appeal.

Maltese tycoon Yorgen Fenech has been acquitted by a court of orchestrating the 2017 car-bomb killing of investigative reporter Daphne Caruana Galizia. The assassination of Caruana Galizia, aged 53, had previously led to widespread protests and the downfall of a government. Fenech, a wealthy businessman, was accused of masterminding the murder. The acquittal has drawn strong criticism from Caruana Galizia's family and media freedom advocates, who stated it denies her the justice she deserves.

The last individual prosecuted in connection with the 2017 killing of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia has been acquitted. This acquittal marks the conclusion of the legal proceedings against this particular defendant in the case. The article states that this person was the final man to be prosecuted for the journalist's death. No further details regarding the charges, the trial, or the reasons for the acquittal are provided in the given content.

Businessman Yorgen Fenech has been acquitted by a court in Malta of masterminding the 2017 murder of anticorruption journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. The jury reached its decision on Wednesday after eight hours of deliberation, clearing Fenech, 44, of complicity to murder and criminal association to commit murder. Caruana Galizia's family expressed disappointment, stating that institutional failures enabling her murder remain unaddressed. Prosecutors alleged Fenech sought her death to prevent her from revealing information about him, while his defense pointed to Keith Schembri, former chief of staff to the Prime Minister. The 2017 killing of Caruana Galizia, who exposed high-level corruption, had caused a significant political reaction in Malta and drew international attention.

Maltese businessman Yorgen Fenech has been acquitted of complicity in the 2017 murder of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. Fenech, 44, faced charges of complicity in her murder and criminal association to commit murder, which he denied. Caruana Galizia, who exposed corruption and money laundering, was killed by a car bomb in October 2017. In 2022, two brothers were jailed for 40 years for their role in the killing. The jury acquitted Fenech by an 8-1 margin after deliberations. Caruana Galizia's family stated that institutional failures enabling her murder remain unaddressed and unreformed, and that their country failed to protect her life.

Maltese tycoon Yorgen Fenech has been found not guilty of complicity in the 2017 murder of anti-corruption journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. A jury of nine found Fenech not guilty on both charges by an eight-to-one majority. Prosecutors had accused Fenech, one of Malta's wealthiest men, of paying €150,000 through a middleman to have the journalist killed. The verdict is expected to be appealed by the prosecution. Caruana Galizia's murder, a car bombing, triggered a major political scandal in Malta and became a focal point for press freedom activism. The defense suggested the murder order came from a higher political figure.

Yorgen Fenech, on trial for the 2017 murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, testified for the first time, claiming he was framed by police and is innocent. Fenech accused Keith Schembri, the former chief of staff to Malta's prime minister, of instigating the murder. He alleged Schembri was fixated on Caruana Galizia due to her reporting and repeatedly discussed killing her. Fenech also claimed Schembri provided him with advance warnings of police raids and arrests, including details about the impending arrest of the middleman, Melvin Theuma. The prosecution's case relies on Theuma's testimony, while Schembri, called as a witness, has denied any involvement.