Joseph Muscat Addresses The Nation In Press Conference Viewed By Over 19K People

Former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has said he was “baffled” by the verdict in Yorgen Fenech’s trial, while urging the public to respect Malta’s judicial institutions despite disagreeing with their decisions.

Speaking during a press conference following Fenech’s acquittal, Muscat said the jury had been unfairly “demonised” following the verdict, with some portraying its members as either incompetent or “bought”.

He stressed that people can respect a court decision while still criticising it, warning that attacks on the jury risk undermining judicial institutions and ongoing or future investigations.

Muscat also addressed claims surrounding the public inquiry into Daphne Caruana Galizia’s assassination, saying it never recommended replacing Malta’s trial-by-jury system.

He said its recommendation regarding technical experts was limited to white-collar crime cases.

Reflecting on the assassination, Muscat said he had treated the murder as a terrorist attack when informed, ordering the immediate closure of Malta’s airport and ports amid fears that a foreign assassin could be involved.

He also defended communication between governments and major business figures, saying such relationships are a normal part of governing.

Muscat reiterated that he resigned as Prime Minister because he did not want to overshadow the investigation, despite believing he still had more work to do for the country.

#MaltaDaily