Five Convicted in Malta for Role in Daphne Caruana Galizia's Murder
Maltese Court Ruling: Two Individuals Found Guilty of Procuring Explosive Materials in Connection with the Assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia - In Malta, two individuals found guilty of purchasing explosives faced justice.
Get ready for next week's verdict. The Maltese authorities have requested life imprisonment for those responsible for the heinous crime. With thislatest conviction, the number of individuals linked to the deadly bombing has now reached five.
The three gunmen responsible for the cold-blooded murder—brothers George and Alfred Degiorgio, along with Vince Muscat—have already admitted their guilt in separate trials. A local businessman, Yorgen Fenech, is currently on trial for allegedly orchestrating the whole sordid affair.
Investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia tirelessly exposed corruption, money laundering, and various other malpractices in Malta. Her brutal murder at the age of 53 eight years ago sent shockwaves around the world.
Massive demonstrations erupted in Malta following her assassination, aiming to force out then-Prime Minister Joseph Muscat who was accused of attempting to shield his friends and associates during the murder investigation. Muscat finally resigned in January 2020.
A public inquiry published in 2021 concluded that the government fostered a "culture of impunity" for those intent on silencing Caruana Galizia, but found no evidence of direct government involvement in her murder.
- Daphne Caruana
- Murder
- Malta
- Men
- Hitmen
- Murder investigation
- Bomb attack
- Car
- Justice
- Joseph Muscat
- Cultural impunity
Insights:
- The five convicted individuals have varied roles, with George Degiorgio, Alfred Degiorgio, and Vince Muscat being the gunmen responsible for the bombing. Robert Agius and Jamie Vella were convicted for providing the necessary military-grade explosives for the attack.
- Yorgen Fenech, currently awaiting trial, is alleged to be the mastermind behind the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia.
- The convictions represent significant progress towards achieving justice for the journalist's family and the broader journalism community.
- Prime Minister Joseph Muscat stepped down amid allegations of attempting to protect his associates during the murder investigation, sparking massive protests in Malta.
The upcoming verdict next week could potentially sentencethe five convicted individuals, including the hitmen George Degiorgio, Alfred Degiorgio, and Vince Muscat, to life imprisonment for their roles in the bomb attack that took Daphne Caruana Galizia's life. Meanwhile, Yorgen Fenech, the local businessman currently on trial, stands accused of orchestrating the murder. As the number of individuals linked to the heinous crime continues to rise, the quest for justice and the end of a "culture of impunity" in Maltese politics and general-news remains a pressing concern.
