Justice Deferred: The Hollow Verdict in Daphne Caruana Galizia’s Murder

The acquittal of Yorgen Fenech, a wealthy Maltese businessman accused of orchestrating the car bomb killing of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, has sparked widespread outrage and despair. This outcome was not unexpected given Malta’s troubled history with impunity and corruption.

Caruana Galizia’s murder in 2017 sent shockwaves across Europe, exposing a culture of cronyism and complicity within the highest echelons of Maltese government. Investigations and prosecutions have yielded some convictions, but these pale in comparison to the scale of the crime and the number of individuals implicated.

The acquittal of Fenech on both counts underscores the deeper structural issues plaguing Malta’s judiciary and legal systems. The Maltese state bears significant responsibility for Caruana Galizia’s murder due to its failures in creating a climate conducive to such acts. This is reinforced by the fact that Fenech’s connections to the government were extensive, including his involvement in a lucrative power station contract with the state.

The inquiry into the killing published in 2021 was scathing in its critique of government complicity. The report stated that Malta “has to bear responsibility” for the assassination. This conclusion is also supported by the fact that Fenech’s connections to the government were extensive, including his involvement in a lucrative power station contract with the state.

The acquittal of Fenech has reignited debates about the role of the Maltese presidency in offering pardons and reducing sentences in exchange for testimony. The pardon granted to Melvin Theuma, the self-confessed middleman, in 2019 is a particularly egregious example of this practice. Such actions have led many to question whether those responsible for Caruana Galizia’s murder will ever face genuine accountability.

Government officials and stakeholders have claimed that justice has been served despite Fenech’s acquittal. However, lasting justice requires more than just convictions – it demands a thorough overhaul of Malta’s institutions and practices.

This verdict serves as a stark reminder of the systemic failures that allowed Caruana Galizia to be killed in the first place. The case has been extensively documented, with numerous investigations and inquiries shedding light on the intricate web of corruption and complicity. Yet, despite this, justice remains elusive for Daphne Caruana Galizia’s family and the people of Malta.

As the investigation continues into the remaining individuals implicated in the murder, it is crucial that those responsible for creating a culture of impunity are held accountable. The acquittal of Fenech may be seen as a setback, but it should also galvanize efforts to reform Malta’s judiciary and ensure greater protection for journalists and whistleblowers.

For Caruana Galizia’s family, the verdict has come as no surprise. However, they will continue to push for accountability and transparency, driving home the message that their fight for justice will not be silenced. As they press on, it remains to be seen whether Malta will finally confront its dark legacy of corruption and complicity.

The silence outside the Valletta courtroom after Fenech’s acquittal was deafening, a stark contrast to the outpouring of support for Caruana Galizia during her lifetime. In this moment, it is essential to remember the words of her son, Matthew: “Our country failed to protect Daphne. It owes it to her to prevent other lives being lost.”