The trial of three men accused of murdering Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia has commenced in Valletta, with the UK Foreign Office closely watching proceedings described as a critical test for European justice. Caruana Galizia, a prominent anti-corruption campaigner, was killed by a car bomb outside her home in 2017, a crime that sent shockwaves through the European Union and triggered widespread calls for accountability.
The defendants, brothers Alfred and George Degiorgio and Vince Muscat, face charges of planting and detonating the explosive device. All three have pleaded not guilty. The trial, which opened on Monday, is expected to last several months and will rely heavily on forensic evidence and witness testimony.
Caruana Galizia’s family and supporters have expressed cautious optimism about the proceedings but remain deeply sceptical of the Maltese justice system, which has been criticised for its slow pace and lack of transparency. The journalist’s murder exposed deep-seated corruption within Malta’s political and business elite, with allegations reaching the highest levels of government. Former prime minister Joseph Muscat, who resigned in 2020 amid public outrage over the case, has denied any wrongdoing.
The UK Foreign Office issued a statement emphasising the importance of the trial for the rule of law in Europe. “The murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia was an attack on press freedom and the fundamental values that underpin our democracies,” a spokesperson said. “We expect the Maltese authorities to ensure a fair and thorough trial that delivers justice for Daphne, her family, and the people of Malta.”
The trial is being held under tight security, with the courtroom in Valletta heavily guarded. International observers, including representatives from Reporters Without Borders, have been granted access to monitor the proceedings.
For the Caruana Galizia family, the trial marks a long-awaited step in a fight that has come at immense personal cost. Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse, her son Matthew Caruana Galizia said, “We have waited over six years for this day. We hope the court will finally hold those responsible for her murder accountable. But we cannot rest until we see justice not just for the trigger men, but for those who ordered and facilitated this crime.”
The trial unfolds against a backdrop of growing concern over media freedoms in Europe. The European Union has launched its own investigation into the rule of law in Malta, with some officials warning that a flawed trial could further undermine public trust in the bloc’s institutions.
As the first day of testimony concluded, the judge instructed the jury to consider only the evidence presented in court. The proceedings are scheduled to resume on Wednesday. For many in Malta, this trial is more than a search for answers: it is a chance to restore faith in a system that has been shaken to its core.
