Malta: tycoon Yorgen Fenech to exit prison, five years after his arrest
Maltese tycoon Yorgen Fenech was granted bail by a court on Friday, more than five years after he was first arrested and charged with complicity in the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) questions the failure of the Maltese public authorities to complete the judicial proceedings aimed at identifying and convicting those behind her murder.
Yorgen Fenech is a Maltese businessman whose main interests are casinos and hotels in Malta. He is a suspect facing criminal charges in multiple proceedings for murder, corruption, money laundering, and the illicit purchase of firearms and poison. In November 2019, Fenech was arrested as a suspect in the murder of prominent journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, killed in a car bomb close to her home on 16 October 2017.
In December, Fenech made a bid for bail, arguing that he must be freed because more than 30 months had elapsed since a bill of indictment against him was issued. Prosecutors strongly objected to bail, citing their concerns about Fenech fleeing the country. In its decree on Friday, the court highlighted the length of time that had passed since he was arrested.
Journalist Matthew Caruana Galizia, one of the sons of the murder victim, said the Maltese Prime minister, Robert Abela, and Justice minister Jonathan Attard were to blame for the constant delays in the case: “They had five years to fix the system and did nothing. Failure after failure by the courts, it’s become increasingly clear who’s side they’re on. The side of criminals and not regular people”. He urged the public to understand the horror of victims’ families knowing that the suspects are out on bail.
The Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation said: “Daphne was assassinated on 16 October 2017 for telling the truth. The Maltese State failed to protect Daphne’s life and it is now failing her in death. Almost eight years on, justice for her murder has not been delivered. The bomb that killed Daphne was a warning: the justice system is failing the victims of organised crime.”
“The EFJ joins the legitimate complaints of the journalist’s family and the Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation,” said Ricardo Gutiérrez, EFJ General Secretary: “It is as if those in power in Malta are doing everything in their power to obstruct the course of justice. We call on all defenders of the rule of law in Malta to demand justice and to put an end to the scandalous impunity enjoyed by those who ordered the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia”.
