Maltese businessman Yorgen Fenech acquitted in Daphne Caruana Galizia murder trial

On September 2, 2026, a jury in Valletta acquitted Maltese businessman Yorgen Fenech of all charges related to the 2017 assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. The verdict, reached after eight hours of deliberation and a trial spanning over two months, was decided by an 8-1 majority. Fenech had faced charges of complicity in murder and conspiracy to commit a criminal act, with the former carrying a potential life sentence. Upon the announcement of the acquittal, Judge Edwina Grima immediately ordered his release, officially concluding the proceedings.

The murder of Caruana Galizia in October 2017 caused widespread international shock and sparked significant political upheaval in Malta. The case highlighted ongoing concerns regarding the island's law enforcement systems and the integrity of its judiciary. While Fenech's relatives celebrated the verdict in the courtroom, the family of the slain journalist expressed deep disappointment. In a public statement, they criticized the institutional failures that allowed the assassination to occur and argued that necessary reforms remain unaddressed nine years later.

The acquittal marks a significant and unexpected development in one of the most high-profile criminal cases in Malta's history. With the conclusion of this trial, no further legal proceedings against Fenech regarding this specific murder investigation were mentioned.