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Fenech acquitted by surprise, now the murder of journalist Caruana is without a mandator
Italy🏛️ PoliticsLean Progressive9/2/2026

Fenech acquitted by surprise, now the murder of journalist Caruana is without a mandator

Yorgen Fenech, un tycoon maltese, è stato assolto dall'accusa di essere il mandante dell'omicidio della giornalista Daphne Caruana Galizia, avvenuto il 16 ottobre 2017. La giuria ha espresso otto voti a favore dell'assoluzione e solo uno contro, dopo circa sette anni di custodia cautelare e cinque anni di detenzione preventiva. Cinque uomini sono stati condannati per aver organizzato e compiuto l'attentato, mentre Melvin Theuma, intermediario che aveva ricevuto fondi da Fenech, è stato graziato nel 2019. Durante il processo, Fenech ha accusato pubblicamente Keith Schembri, ex capo di gabinetto del premier Joseph Muscat, come vero mandante, pur non essendo mai stato formalmente imputato. L'assoluzione di Fenech chiude un caso processuale ma lascia aperte questioni politiche e di corruzione, poiché l'omicidio rimane senza chiarimento sui mandanti principali.

Yorgen Fenech, a Maltese businessman and heir to the Tumas Group, was acquitted of conspiracy and complicity in the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. The verdict came after a jury of nine members ruled with eight votes in favor of acquittal and one against. The decision ended nearly seven years of pretrial detention for Fenech, who had been arrested in November 2019 while attempting to flee the country aboard his family’s yacht. He was released on bail in Malta shortly thereafter. The murder of Caruana Galizia occurred on October 16, 2017, when a car bomb exploded near her home in Valletta. The trial lasted 44 days and featured extensive evidence presented by prosecutors, including intercepted communications, phone records, financial transactions, and testimonies. This body of evidence led to multiple parallel investigations into corruption networks across Malta. However, despite this wealth of information, the prosecution failed to establish beyond reasonable doubt that Fenech was directly responsible for ordering the assassination. During the trial, defense attorneys focused on inconsistencies in the testimony of key witness Melvin Theuma, who had previously confessed to acting as an intermediary in the plot. Theuma had indicated that Fenech gave him €150,000 to carry out the killing. However, the defense highlighted contradictions in Theuma's account and used Fenech’s own testimony to challenge the prosecution’s case. Fenech testified before the court and accused former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s close aide, Keith Schembri, of being the true mastermind behind the murder. Schembri has always denied any involvement and was never formally charged in connection with the crime. Fenech claimed he was merely a scapegoat and pointed to Schembri as the real orchestrator of the attack. The trial also brought up allegations of an earlier plot dating back to 2015 involving former Finance Minister Eddie Fenech, though these claims were never substantiated through judicial proceedings. Additionally, the case highlighted the role of the offshore company 17 Black based in Dubai, which had been exposed in investigative reports by Caruana Galizia just before her death. Despite the conviction of five individuals who carried out the bombing, none of them were identified as having received direct orders from a higher authority. The intermediary, Melvin Theuma, was pardoned in 2019 after cooperating with authorities and identifying Fenech as the person who paid him to commit the crime. Following the acquittal, Fenech left the courthouse free man, surrounded by journalists waiting outside. His release marked the end of a long period of legal uncertainty and custody. The case had initially sparked widespread public outrage and contributed to the fall of Muscat’s government in early 2020. An independent investigation conducted in July 2021 concluded that the Maltese state was responsible for creating an environment of impunity that allowed such crimes to occur. The acquittal of Fenech leaves the question of who ordered the murder unanswered. While several individuals have been convicted for their roles in carrying out the attack, no high-profile figures have been held accountable for directing the operation. The case continues to raise questions about political influence, corruption, and the rule of law in Malta.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 3 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

3 reports

ANSA logoANSAIndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 859/2/2026
Malta: The alleged mastermind of the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia has been acquitted

In Malta, il tycoon Yorgen Fenech è stato assolto per le accuse di cospirazione e complicità nell’omicidio di Daphne Caruana Galizia, uccisa nel 2017 con una bomba. Il verdetto, arrivato dopo un lungo processo, ha visto otto voti a favore della difesa e uno a favore dell’accusa. Nonostante siano stati condannati cinque uomini per l’esecuzione dell’attentato, nessuno è stato riconosciuto colpevole di averlo ordinato. Fenech, arrestato nel 2019, ha sostenuto che il vero mandante era Keith Schembri, ex capo di gabinetto del premier Joseph Muscat, che ha sempre negato qualsiasi coinvolgimento. L’inchiesta indipendente del 2021 ha stabilito che lo Stato maltese è responsabile per le circostanze che hanno portato all’omicidio.

Bias read (Center): L'articolo presenta un processo politico complesso senza un chiaro slanto verso destra o sinistra. Le fonti citate sono principalmente legali e istituzionali, e la narrazione cerca di rimanere neutrale, anche se affronta temi sensibili come corruzione e responsabilità statale. Non ci sono evidenze d

Why factuality (90): This article provides detailed information about the verdict, including the date of the trial, the charges, and the timeline of events. It accurately reflects the cross-source consensus and does not introduce any new or conflicting information. The mention of Melvin Theuma and his role is consistent

Why objectivity (85): The article maintains a neutral tone, focusing on reporting the facts without expressing personal opinion. While there is some emotional language ('Una scena difficilmente immaginabile'), it remains within the bounds of journalistic reporting and does not overtly favor any party.

Il Fatto Quotidiano logoIl Fatto QuotidianoIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 759/2/2026
Daphne Caruana Galizia, acquitted Fenech: Maltese billionaire accused of being the mastermind of journalist's murder

Yorgen Fenech, a Maltese billionaire and heir to the Tumas Group, was acquitted of conspiracy and complicity in the plot to kill journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. The nine jurors determined he was not the mastermind behind her murder, which occurred on October 16, 2017, via a car bomb. The verdict followed approximately eight hours of deliberation, with a vote of 8 to 1. Fenech had been arrested in November 2019 while attempting to flee by boat but was later released on bail in Malta. He was accused of paying €150,000 to carry out the killing, though those who executed the attack were arrested just six weeks after the incident.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual account of the legal proceedings and outcome regarding Yorgen Fenech’s acquittal in connection with the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia. It provides balanced information without overtly favoring any side, focusing on the legal process and outcomes rather than taking a

Why factuality (85): The article confirms Fenech’s acquittal and provides details such as the vote count and the accusation that he paid 150,000 euros for the murder. It aligns with the other sources but lacks some contextual depth regarding the broader implications of the verdict. The mention of his release on bail is

Why objectivity (75): There is a slightly more emotive tone when describing Fenech’s release, using phrases like 'è stato assolto' and 'l’uomo era accusato di aver pagato 150mila euro'. While this is common in news reporting, it may lean toward emphasizing the gravity of the accusations before the verdict.

Open logoOpenIndependentProgressiveFactual 75Objective 659/2/2026
Fenech acquitted by surprise, now the murder of journalist Caruana is without a mandator

Yorgen Fenech, un tycoon maltese, è stato assolto dall'accusa di essere il mandante dell'omicidio della giornalista Daphne Caruana Galizia, avvenuto il 16 ottobre 2017. La giuria ha espresso otto voti a favore dell'assoluzione e solo uno contro, dopo circa sette anni di custodia cautelare e cinque anni di detenzione preventiva. Cinque uomini sono stati condannati per aver organizzato e compiuto l'attentato, mentre Melvin Theuma, intermediario che aveva ricevuto fondi da Fenech, è stato graziato nel 2019. Durante il processo, Fenech ha accusato pubblicamente Keith Schembri, ex capo di gabinetto del premier Joseph Muscat, come vero mandante, pur non essendo mai stato formalmente imputato. L'assoluzione di Fenech chiude un caso processuale ma lascia aperte questioni politiche e di corruzione, poiché l'omicidio rimane senza chiarimento sui mandanti principali.

Bias read (Progressive): L'article frames the acquittal of Yorgen Fenech as a significant political victory, highlighting the systemic issues within Malta's judiciary and political establishment. It emphasizes the lack of accountability among high-ranking officials and suggests a pattern of impunity, which aligns with left翼

Why factuality (75): The article reports the acquittal of Yorgen Fenech as the mastermind behind the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia, citing eight votes for acquittal and one against. It aligns with the cross-source consensus from ANSA and Il Fatto Quotidiano. However, it mentions 'il quadro giudiziario sull’assassinio

Why objectivity (65): The tone suggests some level of disappointment or surprise at the outcome, using phrases like 'cade il castello accusatorio' and 'i vertici del potere politico ed economico maltese escono indenni'. This indicates a slight bias towards the political and economic elites being exonerated.

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