Maltese tycoon Yorgen Fenech was cleared of murder charges in the 2017 killing of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. The verdict came after an 8-1 jury decision, with Fenech's family celebrating and the victim's family expressing disappointment. The case, which involved a car bomb, remains a significant event in Malta's political history.
Fenech, 44, was accused of orchestrating the murder of Caruana Galizia, a prominent critic of Maltese government corruption. The trial, which lasted eight hours, resulted in a dismissal of both charges. The case had previously led to the downfall of a government and sparked global condemnation over press freedom and corruption.
The acquittal has raised concerns about the protection of journalists and the effectiveness of Maltese institutions in ensuring justice. Caruana Galizia's family and activists have called for continued efforts to address the systemic failures that allowed her murder. The verdict has prompted calls for further investigation into the political and criminal networks involved in the case.