Caruana Galizia was murdered on October 16, 2017, by a car bomb. The 53-year-old journalist was killed when the explosive detonated as she was driving near her home. Her death caused widespread public outrage and protests in Malta.
The murder and the subsequent investigation evolved into a major political crisis. The protests escalated after Fenech was arrested in 2019. The political fallout eventually led to the resignation of then-Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.
Commander
Fenech was accused of being the mastermind and financier of the murder. According to the Public Prosecutor's Office, he ordered and paid for the attack to be organized. The businessman denied throughout the trial that he had ordered or been involved in the murder.
Promotion
According to the prosecutors, Caruana Galizia’s journalistic work was a motive. Fenech allegedly wanted her killed because she was about to reveal information about him. Caruana Galizia investigated alleged corruption and connections between political and business circles.
Politicians
During the trial, Fenech pointed to Keith Schembri, his former friend and the former chief of staff of Prime Minister Muscat. The defense argued that Schembri was involved and that the investigation into him was lacking. Schembri denied any involvement in the murder.
The police stated that Schembri was never considered a suspect in the murder. Meanwhile, Fenech continued to deny all charges against him. Ultimately, the jury acquitted him of both complicity in the murder and criminal conspiracy to commit murder.
Five men have been convicted in connection with the murder of Caruana Galizia: three who carried out the assassination and two who supplied the bomb placed under the journalist’s car that cost her life nine years ago.