A jury in Malta has acquitted Yorgen Fenech, a prominent businessman who prosecutors alleged was the mastermind behind the 2017 car bomb assassination of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. Fenech, who had been indicted on charges of complicity and criminal conspiracy, maintained his innocence throughout the trial. On Wednesday, the jury found him not guilty on both counts, marking the end of the prosecution for the final individual among a group of six suspects linked to the plot.
The killing of Caruana Galizia sent shockwaves across Europe and exposed deep seated issues within Malta’s political landscape. Known for her fearless reporting on corruption and money laundering, she frequently targeted high ranking officials and business leaders, including those close to former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. Her death triggered massive public outcry and an independent inquiry which eventually concluded that the Maltese state bore responsibility for creating a culture of impunity that enabled such a crime to occur.
Fenech’s own legal troubles previously served as a catalyst for national upheaval. His arrest in 2019, occurring just as he attempted to sail away from the island on his yacht, sparked widespread protests that ultimately forced Prime Minister Muscat to resign. Following Wednesday’s acquittal, Fenech exited the Valletta courthouse into a scene of chaos, ignoring hecklers as he climbed into a waiting vehicle without offering any comment on the verdict.
For the family of Caruana Galizia, the decision represents another failure of the justice system. While several others have already been convicted—including George and Alfred Degiorgio, who received 40 year sentences for executing the hit—the family believes true accountability remains elusive. In a statement shared on Facebook, they argued that their mother was denied the justice she deserved and warned that institutional failures continue to leave journalists at risk in Malta today.