Maltese businessman acquitted in murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia

A Maltese businessman was acquitted after being accused of being behind the murder of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Yorgen Fenech, 44, was accused of commissioning the car bomb killing of Caruana Galizia in 2017 in a case that sent waves across Europe.

Caruana Galizia, who was 53 years old at the time of her murder, was driving near her home when the bomb detonated.

Caruana Galizia's journalistic investigations included extensive information about suspected corruption in politics and business in Malta. She faced about 40 libel suits at the time of her murder.

Life in prison avoided

Fenech, who would have faced up to life in prison had he been found guilty, was cleared of both complicity for murder and criminal association to commit murder with a jury margin of 8-1. He denied the allegations that he had wanted the journalist dead due to an investigation about him being about to be published.

Fenech did not comment after leaving the courtroom, with a crowd of people waiting outside the court shouting insults in his direction.

Family's demand for justice continues

Caruana Galizia's family responded to the acquittal by saying that the institutional failures that led to the murder "remain unaddressed and unreformed."

"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."

Daphne Caruana Galizia's sons were in the courtroom when the verdict was read out.

Five people were convicted in connection to the murder, with three of them being found guilty of carrying it out.

All five are currently in jail.

Edited by: Wesley Dockery