Trial of businessman accused of ordering the murder of journalist Daphne Galicia begins in Malta

In a significant legal proceeding that has drawn international attention, the trial of Jorgen Fenech, a wealthy Maltese businessman accused of orchestrating the murder of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galicia, commenced in Valletta on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. This marks nearly nine years since her death in a bombing that shocked Europe and triggered political upheaval in Malta. Caruana Galicia was killed when a bomb placed in her car exploded near her home in the village of Bidnija on October 17, 2017. Her death had far-reaching consequences, exposing deep-rooted corruption among high-ranking officials and business leaders in Malta.

Fenech, who is being tried alongside six other individuals, stands accused of complicity in the murder and of forming an illegal association with persons in Malta intending to commit a crime. He has denied all charges, asserting his innocence throughout the proceedings. If found guilty, he could face life imprisonment for the murder charge and between 20 to 30 years for the criminal association charge. The jury took their oath early on Wednesday morning in the court in Valletta, signaling the start of a potentially lengthy and complex trial.

Caruana Galicia, known for her fearless journalism and investigations into government and corporate misconduct, had become one of Malta's most prominent media figures before her untimely death. She was just 53 years old when she was killed. Her work had exposed numerous scandals involving powerful individuals, making her a target for both political adversaries and supporters of those implicated in her investigations. Following her death, a public inquiry requested by her family concluded that the state allowed an atmosphere of impunity to spread from the highest levels of government down to regulators and law enforcement, leading to a collapse of the rule of law and creating a climate conducive to her murder.

The investigation into her killing led to the arrest of three men responsible for placing the bomb in her car. These were George and Alfred Dejher, along with their friend Vincent Muscat. They were apprehended after a televised raid on a warehouse in Marsa, the port city of the capital. However, the probe seemed to stall until reports from Reuters and The Times of Malta revealed that Muscat and a taxi driver named Melvin Teuma had offered to testify against those involved. Teuma, who was arrested on November 14, 2019, was carrying a box of ice cream containing USB drives with recordings of conversations with Fenech, which the prosecution relies upon. Fenech's team requested the original recordings and claimed that Teuma's testimony contained "half-truths" and "clear lies."

In the night following Teuma's arrest, his lawyers, determined to preserve evidence, sent the material to The Hague, where it is stored securely in Europol offices. At the time, then Prime Minister Joseph Muscat announced that Teuma would be offered presidential amnesty and immunity from criminal prosecution in exchange for information about the murder. However, this offer did not prevent further complications in the case.

Early on the morning of November 20, 2019, Fenech boarded his yacht, the "Jo," and set sail from the Marina Portomaso, a luxury residential and restaurant complex overlooking the sea. The yacht was anchored near a 23-story tower owned by Fenech's family company, Tumas Group. However, the Maltese military intercepted the yacht and forced it back to the harbor, where Fenech was subsequently arrested. As new details emerged regarding the case, the government under Joseph Muscat became embroiled in political and constitutional turmoil.

The trial of Fenech has been delayed multiple times due to legal disputes over procedural issues. Meanwhile, the three men responsible for planting the bomb were arrested shortly after the attack and pleaded guilty at the beginning of their trial. Two of them received life sentences in 2025, while the third received a reduced sentence in exchange for providing information. Teuma told police that he recruited the bombers and planned the assassination in a popular café. After weeks of surveillance on the 52-year-old journalist, they planted the bomb beneath her seat in her car. The device was detonated remotely from Fenech's yacht off the coast, resulting in Caruana Galicia's immediate death.

Fenech headed the Tumas group, which organized various activities ranging from gambling and hospitality to real estate management and development. In the months leading up to her murder, Caruana Galicia was investigating an offshore company called 17 Blek, which she claimed was channeling payments in the form of bribes to leaders in Malta. It was later discovered that Fenech was the owner of the company 17 Blek.

The assassination triggered a political crisis in Malta, ultimately leading to the resignation of then Prime Minister Joseph Muscat in 2020, although he was never directly linked to the murder. The trial of Fenech is being conducted before a jury and is expected to last several weeks, continuing to shape Malta's pursuit of justice and media safety.