No Need for a Public Inquiry into Daphne’s Death
It’s been almost a full year since Maltese investigative journalist and blogger Daphne Caruana Galizia had her life snuffed out in an instant by a powerful bomb planted under her car.
Real Journalism Gets You Killed
The outspoken writer and blogger was a continuous thorn in the side of the Maltese government whom she frequently accused of corruption.
A year after her assassination, the inquiry into her death has stalled and we’re no closer to solving her murder than the day her life was taken. However, the government of Malta would have the public believe otherwise.
Calls for Public Inquiry
The Galizia family, including her two sons Mathew and Paul, have been calling for a "full public inquiry" to find those responsible for their mother’s murder for several months now.
Malta’s PM has also been quoted in an interview with BBC Four saying:
“I would also think that investigators need to be given the space to investigate and I’m not too sure that a second public inquiry – whatever that means – can lead to a better result or not”.
The Shift News
The "results" the PM is referring to are the December 2017 arrests of ten suspects during a predawn raid by Maltese authorities. Three of the men are facing charges in connection with Daphne’s murder. While the Maltese government have claimed victory in hunting down the assailants, the family remains unconvinced that the low-level arrests were the masterminds of the mafia style execution of a harsh government critic.
The problem is there’s been no public inquiry and thus far only a magisterial inquiry. The Galizia family does not have confidence a thorough and impartial investigation is possible considering the targets of much of Daphne’s reporting were top ranking Maltese officials including the PM, Joseph Muscat.
Lawyers representing the Galizia family point out that a public inquiry would investigate the more serious issue of state involvement while the criminal proceedings and magisterial inquiry are unable to do so. Such a public inquiry would be conducted by the judiciary and, it is hoped, by international representatives.
There are rising concerns across Europe that Mr. Muscat and his administration are attempting to block the inquiry into the journalist’s slaying.
Court Rules Investigator Must Step Down
In a recent development, Malta’s Deputy Police Commissioner Silvio Valletta has been ordered to remove himself from the investigation.
The court of appeal has confirmed that Deputy Police Commissioner Silvio Valletta must desist from taking part in the Daphne Caruana Galizia murder investigation, declaring his presence had breached a fundamental right of the journalist's family.
The Times of Malta
The ruling supports the claim by the Galizia family that Valletta had a conflict of interest in the case being married to Minister Justyne Caruana and his position as a board member of the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU).
Libel Suits Against Galizia Family
As I reported previously, there are numerous ongoing posthumous libel suits against Galizia relating to corruption allegations she reported in her popular blog.
Torrent of Loathsome Libel Suits Brought Against Assassinated Journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia
A libel suit against the slain journalist is still being pursued by Prime Minister Muscat, on top of dozens more. The PM intends to pursue an additional libel suit against Daphne's son, Matthew Galizia, for libel as well.
Despite calls from the Committee to Protect journalists (CPJ), an organization dedicated to press freedom, the Prime Minister presses forward with his disgusting attack on a murdered journalist and her family.
Sources
http://theshiftnews.com/2018/05/04/cpj-urges-muscat-to-drop-lawsuit-against-daphne-caruana-galizia/
http://theshiftnews.com/2018/09/22/no-need-for-public-inquiry-into-daphnes-death-pm/
https://daphnecaruanagalizia.com/