A Maltese businessman has been acquitted of charges that he masterminded the murder of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. Yorgen Fenech, 44, was accused of commissioning the car bomb killing in 2017, a case that sent shockwaves across Europe.

Caruana Galizia, 53 at the time of her death, was killed when a bomb exploded in her car near her home. Her investigations had exposed alleged corruption in Maltese politics and business, and she faced around 40 libel suits at the time of her murder.

Fenech, who could have faced life imprisonment, was cleared of both complicity in murder and criminal association to commit murder by a jury vote of 8-1. He denied allegations that he wanted the journalist dead because she was about to publish an investigation about him.

Fenech left the courthouse without comment, while a crowd outside shouted insults at him.

Caruana Galizia's family responded to the acquittal by saying that the institutional failures that led to the murder "remain unaddressed and unreformed." They added: "Lasting justice means no person should ever face the same risks again. Our country failed to protect Daphne's life. It owes it to her to prevent other lives being lost."

Caruana Galizia's sons were in the courtroom when the verdict was read. Five people have been convicted in connection with the murder, with three found guilty of carrying it out. All five are currently in jail.

Source: www.dw.com