The trial of three men accused of murdering Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia opened in Valletta on Monday, more than five years after her assassination in a car bomb attack. The accused, brothers Alfred and George Degiorgio and Vincent Muscat, have pleaded not guilty to the murder, which prosecutors allege was ordered by business interests to silence Galizia's corruption investigations.
Galizia, 53, was killed on October 16, 2017, near her home in Bidnija. She had been investigating high-level graft, including allegations involving the Panama Papers and Malta's prime minister, Joseph Muscat, who later resigned. Her death drew international condemnation and raised serious questions about the rule of law in Malta, the European Union's smallest member state.
In London, the UK Foreign Office issued a statement confirming continued support for press freedom investigations in Malta and globally. A spokesperson said: 'This trial is a critical test for judicial independence in Malta. The UK remains committed to supporting the Galizia family and all those who seek to uncover the truth.' The statement did not specify operational details but noted that the UK had previously allocated £1.6 million to international media safety programmes.
The Maltese legal system has faced persistent criticism for delays in bringing suspects to justice. The initial police investigation was marred by allegations of obstruction, and several leads were initially dismissed. Following pressure from the European Parliament and NGOs such as Reporters Without Borders, a public inquiry was established. Its 2021 report concluded that the state had created a 'culture of impunity' that enabled the murder.
Civil society groups in Malta have welcomed the start of the trial but expressed caution. 'This is a moment of accountability, but we cannot afford complacency,' said Andrew Azzopardi, director of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation. 'The question remains who ordered the killing and why the broader network of corruption has not been dismantled.'
The trial is expected to last several months, with witnesses including former police commissioners, business associates, and intelligence officials. A separate court in Malta is also hearing a related case against businessman Yorgen Fenech, accused of orchestrating the murder. Fenech, who was arrested in 2019 after being named as the alleged mastermind during a mob probe, has also pleaded not guilty.
The UK's pledge comes amid broader concerns about press freedom globally. According to the International Federation of Journalists, at least 45 journalists were killed in 2024, with the majority of cases remaining unsolved. The Maltese government, now led by Prime Minister Robert Abela, has stated it is committed to judicial reform but has resisted calls for an independent international inquiry.
As proceedings begin, attention will focus on the reliability of key evidence, including mobile phone data and testimonies from former mafia members. Galizia's family, who have campaigned tirelessly for justice, said in a statement: 'We will observe the trial with the same persistence she showed in her reporting. No amount of delay will diminish our resolve.'
For diplomats and observers, the trial marks a crossroads. Success could rebuild trust in Malta's institutions; failure would deepen the perception of a system unwilling to confront its own corruption. The UK's logistical and diplomatic backing, while limited, signals that international scrutiny will remain intense.
