Matthew Caruana Galizia Calls for Retrial Following Fenech Acquittal

2026-09-07T11:00:45.849+00:00 · Updated 2026-09-07T11:00:45.849+00:00

Matthew Caruana Galizia has publicly stated that he expects a retrial following the acquittal of businessman Yorgen Fenech. Writing on social media, the son of murdered investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia expressed deep dismay at the conclusion of the high-profile legal proceedings.

The public reaction follows a jury verdict that saw Fenech cleared of complicity in the 2017 assassination. Jurors returned an 8 to 1 majority decision acquitting the defendant of charges concerning conspiracy to commit murder as well as criminal association.

In his online remarks, Caruana Galizia explained that the victim's family is still working to process what he described as a shocking decision by the court. He maintained that the legal process had failed to deliver justice for his mother's assassination.

Caruana Galizia argued that the outcome resulted in undue leniency after the murder of a journalist. He emphasised that, in light of the circumstances, he expects judicial authorities to pursue a fresh trial in relation to the case.

The acquittal concluded a lengthy legal saga that had drawn intense national attention since Fenech was first arrested in November 2019. The proceedings generated sustained scrutiny over the wider administration of justice and institutional handling of major criminal prosecutions in Malta.

Public figures and civil society organisations have continued to react to the verdict, with multiple groups raising concerns regarding public trust in the judicial system and the broader rule of law.