Parliament to Debate Yorgen Fenech Acquittal After Urgent Requests

2026-09-03T14:00:09.914+00:00 · Updated 2026-09-04T08:00:23.048+00:00

Parliament will convene for an urgent debate following the acquittal of Yorgen Fenech in the Daphne Caruana Galizia murder trial.

Opposition and Nationalist Party leader Alex Borg submitted a formal request to the Speaker of the House to reconvene Parliament urgently. Borg argued that the outcome of the trial warranted immediate parliamentary discussion, questioning the administration's initial silence following the verdict.

Prime Minister Robert Abela confirmed that the House would debate the matter. Addressing reporters for the first time since the verdict, Abela stated he would participate in the parliamentary debate while declining to offer a personal opinion on the jury's decision, saying it was not his place to comment on the judicial outcome.

The government also released a statement calling for prudence and caution following the acquittal, emphasising that ongoing judicial and investigative procedures must not be prejudiced.

During a press conference at the Auberge de Castille alongside Home Affairs Minister Glenn Bedingfield and Justice Minister Clifton Grima, Prime Minister Robert Abela defended the integrity of the police investigation following the acquittal of Yorgen Fenech.

Abela dismissed claims that the investigation had been mishandled, while shifting responsibility regarding criticism of the public inquiry onto his predecessor, Joseph Muscat.

Abela also condemned hostile remarks directed at Daphne Caruana Galizia's family by online commentators following the verdict, describing such behaviour as unacceptable.

When asked about the state pardon granted to middleman Melvin Theuma, Abela stated that it would be premature to consider any revocation or review at this stage.

Nationalist Party leader Alex Borg has called for the swift and complete implementation of all recommendations from the public inquiry into the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Speaking at a press conference following the call for an urgent parliamentary session, Borg stated that his party would place the inquiry proposals at the centre of Friday's debate. He stressed that Malta must ensure journalists are able to investigate freely and conduct their work safely.

Borg noted that while the Nationalist Party expresses confidence in the judiciary, it maintains strong mistrust towards the government in its handling of institutional accountability.

Prime Minister Robert Abela confirmed that the House of Representatives will hold a dedicated debate on Friday regarding the jury verdict in the Yorgen Fenech trial. The announcement followed cross-party calls for an urgent parliamentary session to address the broader institutional implications of the case.

Opposition leader Alex Borg announced plans to use the sitting to push forward the unimplemented recommendations from the Daphne Caruana Galizia public inquiry. Borg argued that the current administration must answer for lingering shortcomings in institutional integrity and the conduct of the murder investigation.

In response, Abela defended his governance record since taking office, asserting that his leadership has maintained rigorous standards without a single episode of maladministration. The Prime Minister cited past remarks from civil society groups and the victim's family to affirm his confidence in how public authorities handled the proceedings.

Opposition leader Alex Borg has sharpened his criticism ahead of the parliamentary sitting, demanding that Prime Minister Robert Abela take direct responsibility for institutional actions in the Daphne Caruana Galizia murder investigation.

Borg raised formal concerns regarding the institutional handling of the case, stating that the current head of government must answer questions rather than deflecting focus onto previous administrations.