Investigation into murder of Maltese journalist blames state

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LA VALETTE, Malta (AP) An independent investigation into the murder of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia released on Thursday revealed that the Maltese state must bear responsibility for the assassination due to the culture of impunity emanating from the most high levels of government.

The Caruana Galizias family had requested the investigation into the car bomb attack of October 16, 2017 near the family home in Malta. The murder in the small EU country sent shockwaves felt not only in Malta, but across Europe.

The investigation found that there was no evidence that the state played a direct role in the assassination, but said the state must take responsibility … by creating an atmosphere of impunity, generated from the highest levels at the heart of the administration of (the prime minister’s office) and, like an octopus, spread to other entities, like regulatory authorities and police, leading to a collapse of the Rule of law.

The report says the state and its entities failed to recognize the real risk to Caruana Galizias’ life, given the threats she had lived under, and also failed to take steps to avoid the risk, according to the report. The report.

Yorgen Fenech, a prominent businessman who had ties to some government officials, is alleged by prosecutors to have been the mastermind of the murder. He pleaded not guilty to the charges of alleged complicity in the murder and of allegedly organizing and financing the bombing.

In addition, three men were charged with carrying out the attack, two with providing explosives and one with being the go-between. Tests are in progress. One of those responsible for the attack acknowledged his role, as did the intermediary.

Joseph Muscat, former Maltese Prime Minister, resigned at the end of 2019 following protests demanding the truth about the murder of the investigative journalist, whose reports targeted the Muscat administration but also the opposition.

The investigative report made a number of recommendations to improve laws and better protect journalists in Malta.

Prime Minister Robert Abela called for a mature analysis of the report beyond partisan arguments.

Lessons must be learned and reforms must continue with greater determination, Abela said in a social media post.

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