Maltese tycoon Yorgen Fenech has been found not guilty of involvement in the murder of anti-corruption journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. A jury of six women and three men delivered the verdict on 2 September 2026, nearly nine years after Caruana Galizia's death in a car bombing in October 2017.
Mr Fenech, 44, was acquitted of both charges he faced: complicity in the voluntary homicide of Caruana Galizia, and association with the intention of committing a crime. The jury voted by an eight to one majority to dismiss both counts.
Prosecutors had alleged that Mr Fenech, an influential businessman, paid €150,000 via a middleman to facilitate the killing. The defence argued that the chain of command went higher, suggesting former prime minister Joseph Muscat's chief of staff, Keith Schembri, was responsible for ordering the killing. Mr Schembri, who gave evidence, denied any wrongdoing.
The prosecution is expected to appeal the verdict.