Yorgen Fenech, 44, was acquitted of orchestrating the 2017 murder of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. The verdict came after a 9-year trial that saw him cleared of complicity in her death. The case, which led to the resignation of a Maltese prime minister, remains a symbol of institutional failure.
Fenech, a businessman with ties to Malta's elite, was accused of ordering the car bomb that killed Galizia, a prominent critic of government corruption. The trial, which lasted nearly seven years, revealed attempts to sabotage the investigation and leaks of sensitive information. The jury found him not guilty by an 8-1 margin.
The acquittal highlights ongoing challenges in holding powerful figures accountable for crimes against journalists. Galizia's family has called the verdict 'justice denied,' emphasizing the need for reforms to protect press freedom and combat corruption. The case underscores the complex web of political and institutional failures that continue to impact Malta's justice system.