Malta Prosecutors Appeal Acquittal in Daphne Caruana Galizia Murder Case
VALLETTA, MALTA — September 23, 2026

Malta’s attorney general has appealed a jury verdict that acquitted businessman Yorgen Fenech of charges linked to the 2017 car-bomb murder of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Caruana Galizia was killed when a bomb planted in her car exploded as she drove away from her home in October 2017. Her murder shocked Malta and attracted international attention.

Prosecutors Challenge Jury Verdict
Fenech was acquitted earlier this month after a two-month trial. The jury reached an 8-1 verdict in his favour on charges of complicity in the murder and criminal association.

Prosecutors had alleged that Fenech was involved in planning the killing because he wanted to prevent Caruana Galizia from exposing information about his business activities. Fenech has denied the allegations.

The attorney general’s decision to appeal means the case could return to court, although appeals in jury trials are limited to legal grounds. Malta’s Criminal Code allows the Court of Criminal Appeal to order a retrial if it considers that the interests of justice require one.

Jury Conduct Also Under Investigation
The appeal comes as authorities investigate allegations involving several members of the jury.

Malta police recently arrested and questioned three jurors, a reserve juror and the husband of one juror over alleged social-media activity and concerns that one juror may have accessed a mobile phone while the jury was sequestered.

All were released on police bail, and no charges had been filed against them at the time of the latest report.

Murder Remains a Major Case in Malta
Several people have already been convicted or pleaded guilty in connection with the killing.

The men who planted the bomb and those involved in producing it are serving lengthy prison sentences. Fenech, who was suspected by prosecutors of being involved in orchestrating the murder, had remained one of the most closely watched figures in the case.

The latest appeal means the legal proceedings surrounding one of Malta’s most prominent murder cases are continuing nearly nine years after Caruana Galizia was killed.

The allegations against Fenech have not been proven, and the jury’s acquittal remains subject to the appeal process.

Source: Reuters.