European Parliament increases scrutiny of Malta and plans fact-finding mission

The European Parliament’s Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group has decided to increase its scrutiny of Malta and organise a fact-finding mission following recent developments in the case concerning the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia.

The decision follows the acquittal of Yorgen Fenech and the grave concerns it has raised in Malta and across Europe.

“This mission is a direct consequence of years of failure by the Maltese Government and by the State as a whole to secure full justice for Daphne Caruana Galizia,” MEP David Casa, who heads the Nationalist Party's delegation in the European Parliament said.

“This is not an attack on the courts or the judiciary. Their independence must always be respected. But respecting the verdict does not mean ignoring the wider failures that led us here.”

Casa pointed to serious questions about the police investigations, the case presented by the prosecution, the handling of key evidence and the failure to fully investigate other people in positions of power.

The Monitoring Group was first set up following the murders of Daphne Caruana Galizia in Malta and Ján Kuciak in Slovakia. Its work covers threats to the rule of law, press freedom and the fight against corruption in EU Member States.

“The hitmen are in jail. The bomb suppliers have been found guilty. The middleman admitted his role. Yet, almost nine years later, no one has been found guilty of ordering Daphne’s murder,” Casa said.

“The Government has also failed to fully put into force the findings of the independent Public Inquiry. That Inquiry found that the State created the climate of impunity that made Daphne’s murder possible.”

Casa said he would continue doing his duty to ensure that Malta’s institutions do their job, protect citizens and prevent failures that can lead to miscarriages of justice.

“Every citizen has the right to institutions that work, police investigations that are complete and prosecutions that are strong. It is my duty to keep pushing for these basic standards to be met.”

“The European Parliament will now increase its scrutiny and come to Malta to seek answers. This cannot be where the story ends.”