Verdict passed: Two individuals convicted for providing explosive device detonated to murder Maltese journalist Galizia.
Maltese Jury Convicts Men in Murder of Journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia
Valletta, Malta - In a landmark trial, a Maltese jury found two men guilty of complicity in the murder of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. Jamie Vella and Robert Agius were convicted of supplying the bomb that claimed her life in October 2017.
Caruana Galizia, 53, was known for her provocative reporting on political and business corruption in Malta. Her death, caused by a car bomb near her home, shocked Europe and sparked numerous protests in Malta.
The journalist's probing investigations targeted individuals within then-Prime Minister Joseph Muscat's inner circle, who she accused of having offshore companies in tax havens, as disclosed in the Panama Papers leak. She also criticized members of the opposition. At the time of her death, she faced over 40 libel suits.
Following the verdict, the Caruana Galizia family issued a statement declaring that while the verdict brought them a step closer to justice, systemic failures that allowed the murder to happen remain unaddressed.
Vella, Agius, together with two other men - George Degiorgio and Adrian Agius - faced charges in relation to a separate murder of lawyer Carmel Chircop in 2015. Both Vella and Degiorgio were found guilty of the murder charges, while Agius was found not guilty. Robert Agius, however, was not found guilty of the Carmel Chircop murder.
The judge will decide on sentencing at a later date; George Degiorgio and his brother Alfred Degiorgio received 40-year sentences in 2022 for carrying out the Caruana Galizia murder, and Vincent Muscat was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2021 for his role in the murder. Muscat later testified in the recent jury trial after receiving a presidential pardon for his role in the Chircop murder.
Prominent Maltese businessman Yorgen Fenech currently remains out of jail on bail, awaiting trial on charges of alleged complicity in the Caruana Galizia murder.
Further Reading
- Jury finds ex-politician guilty of murder in 2022 killing of Las Vegas investigative reporter
- Trial starts in Amsterdam of 9 suspects in 2021 slaying of investigative journalist
- Dutch prosecutors demand life sentences in reporter slaying
Enrichment Insights
The recent conviction of Jamie Vella and Robert Agius has narrowed the list of suspects in the Daphne Caruana Galizia murder case, with the focus now on Keith Schembri, who faces criminal charges and is under investigation for allegedly leaking confidential information about the investigation to the suspected mastermind. Another key witness, Melvin Theuma, who provided crucial evidence and was granted a pardon, remains central to understanding the conspiracy. The suspected mastermind(s) alleged to have orchestrated the murder have not yet been finalized in charges and convictions.
Key Figures- Jamie Vella and Robert Agius: Convicted for supplying the bomb used to kill Caruana Galizia.- Vincent Muscat: Pleaded guilty, testified, and was sentenced for his role in the murder.- George Degiorgio and Adrian Agius: Convicted in separate but related cases for costs other than the Caruana Galizia murder case.- Keith Schembri: Facing criminal charges for leaking investigation information.- Melvin Theuma: Pardoned witness, not a suspect.- Unnamed Mastermind(s): Suspected but not yet formally charged or convicted.
Summary
The recent verdict in the trial of Jamie Vella and Robert Agius marks a significant step towards justice for the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia. However, ongoing investigations into the suspected mastermind of the assassination, Keith Schembri and the identification and prosecution of the possible mastermind(s) have yet to be conclusively addressed.
- The conviction of Jamie Vella and Robert Agius in Malta has brought the Daphne Caruana Galizia murder case closer to resolution, but the identification and prosecution of the suspected mastermind remains a significant challenge.
- In California, USC's Center for Law, Justice and Culture is closely monitoring the unfolding Daphne Caruana Galizia murder case as a prime example of the importance of investigative journalism in holding those in power accountable.
- As politicians in Malta continue to grapple with the repercussions of Caruana Galizia's investigations, the European Parliament has called for improved protections for journalists and whistleblowers to prevent similar incidents in the future.
- Apart from the Daphne Caruana Galizia murder case, the world witnesses constant struggles in achieving justice and upholding the rule of law, as seen vividly in the ongoing crime-and-justice landscape captured by general-news and investigative reporters around the globe.
