Malta protesters demand justice after Daphne Caruana Galizia murder trial acquittal

Valletta, Malta. A large crowd marched through Malta’s capital on Wednesday, demanding justice for assassinated anti-corruption journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia after the man accused of masterminding her murder was acquitted.

The protest was organised by civil society groups two weeks after a jury cleared business mogul Yorgen Fenech of complicity in murder and criminal association following a two-month trial.

Demonstration calls for accountability

Many demonstrators chanted “mafia, mafia” and carried placards reading “Justice Denied”, “End impunity” and “We will not look the other way”.

Caruana Galizia was killed by a car bomb in 2017. Three men who planted the bomb and two men who produced it are serving lengthy prison sentences.

The verdict drew criticism from Caruana Galizia’s family and press freedom group Reporters Without Borders, which said it was “beyond outraged” by the decision.

Possible appeal

Malta’s attorney general is expected to appeal, although an appeal can only be made on points of law.

In a message read by one of his granddaughters, Caruana Galizia’s father, Michael Vella, told the crowd that the campaign extended beyond accountability for his daughter’s death.

“The struggle is not only for justice for Daphne, but for a country to be governed not by corruption and fear, but by sound institutions and the rule of law,” he said.

Family response

Caruana Galizia’s niece Amy Mallia, who was 15 when her aunt was killed, said Fenech’s acquittal had revived the emotions she experienced after the killing.

“It is the same grief, disbelief, and anger,” she said. “Money is power, for some. But there are some things money just cannot buy, including morals, ethics, truth.”