Malta's attorney general has appealed a jury's acquittal of Yorgen Fenech, who was accused of complicity in the 2017 murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. The verdict had sparked protests and shock across the country.
The appeal and subsequent questioning of jurors highlight ongoing concerns about the integrity of the judicial process in Malta following the high-profile murder of a journalist, potentially impacting international perceptions of the country's rule of law and financial sector oversight.
Malta's attorney general has filed an appeal against a jury's decision to acquit businessman Yorgen Fenech of charges related to the 2017 murder of prominent journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. Fenech, suspected of masterminding the assassination, was found not guilty of complicity and criminal association by an 8-1 verdict earlier in September, following a two-month trial.
The verdict, which shocked the country and led to protests, is now subject to legal challenge. Appeals in jury trials are limited to points of law, and the Court of Criminal Appeal can order a retrial if deemed necessary for the interests of justice.
Separately, Malta police confirmed last week that three jurors, a reserve juror, and the husband of a juror involved in the trial had been arrested and questioned. These actions were based on alleged social media posts authored by the individuals and suspicions that one juror had access to a phone while sequestered. All four were released on police bail, and no charges have been filed.
Caruana Galizia's killing in a car bomb explosion shocked Europe and triggered a political crisis in Malta, drawing international attention to its police and judiciary. Prosecutors had alleged that Fenech sought her death to prevent the revelation of information concerning his business dealings, accusations he denied.
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