Maltese tycoon acquitted in Daphne Caruana Galizia murder case

The Maltese Court of Appeal on Tuesday acquitted the final defendant still facing charges in connection with the 2017 car‑bomb killing of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. The 54‑year‑old former police officer, whose trial began in 2022, was found not guilty of murder and related offenses after the judges concluded that the prosecution had failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt his participation in the plot that destroyed the journalist’s vehicle on October 16, 2017. The verdict ends a series of legal proceedings that have seen three other suspects convicted and sentenced for their roles in the attack, which sparked widespread international condemnation and prompted calls for reforms in Malta’s rule‑of‑law institutions.

The acquittal arrives amid ongoing scrutiny of Malta’s anti‑corruption efforts and the broader inquiry into alleged links between the murder and high‑level political figures. While the court’s decision was based strictly on the evidentiary record presented at trial, officials from the European Union and press‑freedom groups reiterated their commitment to ensuring accountability for the crime. The case remains a focal point for Maltese civil society, which continues to demand full transparency and further investigations into any remaining unanswered questions surrounding Caruana Galizia’s death.