• In this photo taken November 29, 2019, people holding placards and photos of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia stage a protest called for by the journalist's family and civic movements outside the office of the prime minister in Valletta, Malta.
    In this photo taken November 29, 2019, people holding placards and photos of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia stage a protest called for by the journalist's family and civic movements outside the office of the prime minister in Valletta, Malta.
  • 'Justice 4 Daphne' is written on a card showing an image of Daphne Caruana Galizia during a picket for the murdered journalist in front of the Maltese embassy in Berlin, Germany, on October 16, 2019.
    'Justice 4 Daphne' is written on a card showing an image of Daphne Caruana Galizia during a picket for the murdered journalist in front of the Maltese embassy in Berlin, Germany, on October 16, 2019.
  • In this photo taken December 3, 2019, protesters gather outside police headquarters in Valletta after the family of murdered Maltese anti-corruption journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia called for continued demonstrations on her behalf.
    In this photo taken December 3, 2019, protesters gather outside police headquarters in Valletta after the family of murdered Maltese anti-corruption journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia called for continued demonstrations on her behalf.
  • In this photo taken November 29, 2019, placards reading 'Mafia Government' and photos of murdered journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia form part of a protest called by Galizia's family and civic movements outside the office of the prime minister in Valletta, Malta.
    In this photo taken November 29, 2019, placards reading 'Mafia Government' and photos of murdered journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia form part of a protest called by Galizia's family and civic movements outside the office of the prime minister in Valletta, Malta.
  • Malta police officers at the scene a day after the killing of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in Bidnija, Malta, on October 16, 2017.
    Malta police officers at the scene a day after the killing of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in Bidnija, Malta, on October 16, 2017.
  • In this photo taken on October 16, 2017, police inspect the wreckage of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia's car after she was killed in a bomb blast close to her home in Bidnija, Malta.
    In this photo taken on October 16, 2017, police inspect the wreckage of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia's car after she was killed in a bomb blast close to her home in Bidnija, Malta.
  • In this photo taken on October 16, 2017, police and forensic experts inspect the wreckage of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia's car after a bomb blast killed her close to her home in Bidnija, Malta.
    In this photo taken on October 16, 2017, police and forensic experts inspect the wreckage of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia's car after a bomb blast killed her close to her home in Bidnija, Malta.
  • Forensic experts walk the field where a bomb blew up a car and killed investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in Bidnija, Malta, on October 16, 2017.
    Forensic experts walk the field where a bomb blew up a car and killed investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in Bidnija, Malta, on October 16, 2017.

World

Man admits to car bomb murder of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia

Three others have pleaded not guilty to charges relating to the killing

Simon Rushton
Simon Rushton

February 23, 2021

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A man has admitted to his role in the car bomb assassination of Maltese anti-corruption journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, whose work included a role in the Panama Papers revelations.

Vince Muscat changed his plea to guilty during a pre-trial hearing and was sentenced to 15 years, a relatively lenient term, after he co-operated with police.

The 2017 car bomb killing of Caruana Galizia, 53, shone a spotlight on corruption on the island.

Muscat has been under arrest since December 2017 when, along with two other men, he was accused of planning and carrying out the assassination.

The other two have not changed their pleas of not guilty.

A banner depicting anti-corruption journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. Reuters
A banner depicting anti-corruption journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. Reuters

The victim's family expressed their "hope” that the plea would be a significant step in securing justice for Caruana Galizia.

Her killing "destroyed her right to life and removed her right to enjoy her family and grandchildren who were born after her murder", said the family’s lawyer, Jason Azzopardi.

In a pretrial hearing on Tuesday, Muscat's lawyer Marc Sant informed the court that his client wanted to register an admission.

When asked how he wanted to plead, Muscat replied: "Guilty."

Judge Edwina Grima told the lawyer: "These are grave accusations. Murder, conspiracy. He possibly faces a life term."

But Muscat again pleaded guilty to charges including murder, possession of explosives, placement of the bomb and criminal conspiracy.

He must also pay €42,930 ($52,150) in court expenses.

Two brothers, George and Alfred Degiorgio, were arrested in December 2017 along with Muscat, and businessman Yorgen Fenech is also awaiting trial for allegedly orchestrating the murder.

Mr Fenech denies the charges.

Caruana Galizia, described as a "one-woman WikiLeaks", was known for investigating high-level corruption, including contributions to the 2016 Panama Papers data leak.

The self-confessed middleman in the plot, Melvin Theuma, gave state evidence in 2019 in return for a pardon.

Muscat's request for a similar deal was denied last month, but a legal source said he had been offered a reduced sentence in a plea bargain.

No official information about the deal has been given and lawyers agreed on Tuesday that submissions for punishment would take place behind closed doors.

World