• Maltese businessman Yorgen Fenech is on trial for allegedly orchestrating the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.
• The assassination occurred in 2017, with Caruana Galizia known for her investigations into corruption.
• The trial follows widespread outrage and political upheaval in Malta after her death, impacting the government.

Maltese businessman Yorgen Fenech has gone on trial, accused of orchestrating the assassination of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. The 53-year-old journalist was killed by a car bomb in 2017 while she was investigating corruption linked to Fenech’s business dealings, particularly an offshore company named “17 Black,” which he owned. Fenech, who was arrested on his yacht in 2019 while trying to flee Malta, faces charges including complicity in murder and criminal association, denying all allegations against him, according to SCMP, BBC, and Al Jazeera.

The trial, which began in Malta's capital Valletta, has drawn considerable public attention, especially from Caruana Galizia's family, who were present in court. Caruana Galizia was a prominent critic of the Maltese government, uncovering significant corruption which led to massive protests and the subsequent resignation of then-Prime Minister Joseph Muscat in 2020. The killing raised serious concerns about the rule of law in Malta, as detailed findings from a public inquiry stated that the state should “shoulder responsibility” for fostering an environment of impunity, according to BBC and Al Jazeera.

During the ongoing proceedings, Fenech's alleged role in commissioning the murder through middlemen has been highlighted, with testimony indicating he paid $170,000 for the crime. Subsequently, three men directly involved in the murder were arrested and have faced legal consequences. Two of them were sentenced to life in prison in 2025 for supplying the bomb, further emphasizing the legal unfolding and ramifications of Caruana Galizia's tragic murder. Reporters Without Borders has expressed that this trial must "expose the truth about the despicable criminal plot," illustrating the international interest surrounding the case, as noted by SCMP, BBC, and Al Jazeera.