Maltese tycoon Yorgen Fenech acquitted in Daphne Caruana Galizia murder case

A Maltese court on Wednesday acquitted businessman Yorgen Fenech of the charge that he orchestrated the 2017 car‑bomb killing of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. The 53‑year‑old reporter’s murder, which sparked mass protests and contributed to the collapse of the national government, had placed Fenech at the centre of a high‑profile corruption inquiry. The trial concluded with the judge finding insufficient evidence to prove that Fenech directed the attack, ending a legal saga that had drawn international attention to Malta’s rule of law and press freedom.

The verdict prompted sharp criticism from Caruana Galizia’s family and media‑freedom organisations, who described the decision as a setback for accountability and an affront to the journalist’s legacy. MaltaToday executive editor Kurt Sansone discussed the ruling and its implications in an interview with France 24, emphasizing concerns that the acquittal could undermine public confidence in the justice system and hinder ongoing efforts to protect investigative reporting in the country.