Journalist murder in Malta

Fenech allegedly defended Galizia's killer

When the killers of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia were put on trial after her murder in 2017, the now-indicted financier Yorgen Fenech paid their legal costs. The prosecutor stated this during the second day of the trial in Malta, reports The Guardian.

Yorgen Fenech, who is accused of ordering the murder of Caruana Galizia, is alleged to have paid more than 400,000 euros, equivalent to around 4.4 million kronor, in legal costs.

According to the prosecutor, the money was paid via the brother of the torpedo brothers. The two brothers confessed to the murder and were sentenced to 40 years in prison.

Torpeders paid 1.6 million for Galizia's murder

Finance magnate Yorgen Fenech paid three torpedoes 150,000 euros (equivalent to around 1.6 million kronor) to murder investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in Malta in 2017. This is according to the prosecutor in the case, after evidence was presented during the first day of trial on Wednesday, reports The Guardian.

Fenech is charged with aiding and abetting murder and being part of a criminal organization with the aim of committing crimes in Malta. He denies the charges.

Caruana Galizia was killed in a car bomb attack. According to the prosecutor, the explosive device had been placed in a shoebox hidden under the car seat. The prosecution alleges that Caruana Galizia was about to publish an article about Fenech, which is said to have prompted him to proceed with the murder plan.

Journalist Murder in Malta — The Case

• Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was killed in a car bomb attack near her home on 16 October 2017.
• Caruana Galizia was known for her work investigating corruption and was investigating links between businessmen, politicians and the Panama Papers at the time of her murder.
• Three men were arrested and later convicted of the murder, with two brothers each receiving 40 years in prison and a third man sentenced to 15 years.
• Businessman Yorgen Fenech was charged with ordering the murder and is on trial nine years after the crime, but denies the charges.
• The murder led to widespread protests and a political crisis in Malta, forcing Prime Minister Joseph Muscat to resign.