Businessman accused of masterminding Caruana Galizia assassination stands trial in Malta
A businessman accused of ordering the murder of the Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia has gone on trial in the Maltese capital, Valletta.
Yorgen Fenech, the heir to a property empire, was arrested in 2019 by Malta’s armed forces on a yacht in connection with the car-bomb murder.
After years of delays due to legal challenges, he faces complicity and criminal association charges and is the last of seven men to face trial over the assassination that rocked the country. Fenech denies the charges.
The 2017 murder provoked outrage from journalists, civil society groups and governments around the world. Malta’s attorney general, Victor Buttigieg, has called for a life sentence for the murder charge and between 20 and 30 years for the criminal association charge.
Daphne Caruana Galizia’s husband, three sons and two sisters were in court for the commencement of the trial. Her son Matthew Caruana Galizia worked for the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists from 2014 to 2018.
Recommended reading PRESS FREEDOM ‘It is still dangerous to be a journalist’: Daphne Caruana Galizia’s son reflects on her life and legacy Jan 12, 2024 PRESS FREEDOM Two brothers convicted of murdering Daphne Caruana Galizia, sentenced to 40 years in prison Oct 16, 2022 PRESS FREEDOM Malta responsible for assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, inquiry finds Jul 30, 2021
