Joseph Muscat Speaks Out After Yorgen Fenech Trial Verdict

Former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat took to social media with a statement in relation to the recent verdict that found Yorgen Fenech not guilty in the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia.

‘One must respect the course of justice, while everyone is free to agree or disagree with the verdict. This is the Rule of Law’, said Muscat.

‘From the very beginning, and from when I was still Prime Minister, it was made clear that, beyond whatever ideas some may have had, nobody was protected or immune from justice.’

‘While there are few matters on which we have agreed over the years, I note with satisfaction that the victim’s family thanked the investigators and the prosecution, and continue to support the course that was taken’, he added.

He said that this stands in contrast to those who, ‘instead of showing the maturity to respect this defining moment in the history of a nation’, are choosing ‘posturing and statements that may appeal to many people but which are entirely contrary to’ the Rule of Law.

‘I also wish to recall that I always stated that the Public Inquiry which I myself called should ideally have taken place after the trial, so that it could take into consideration all the facts that emerged and avoid affecting the case’, he added. ‘Due to all the pressure that was created, I became convinced that it should be held immediately, because otherwise it could have given the impression that there was an intention not to hold it.’

‘Today, more than ever, I believe it would have been wiser for the Public Inquiry to take place now, in order to examine everything that has emerged, rather than make assumptions, some of which may now be interpreted as going against the jury’s verdict.’

Muscat said that he will be speaking further in the coming days.

#MaltaDaily