Today’s Verdict Does Not Close The Chapter On Daphne’s Assassination, Says PN

The Partit Nazzjonalista has said that the jury’s verdict in the trial concerning the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia does not bring closure to the case, insisting that significant questions remain about the investigation and the State’s political responsibility.

In a statement following the verdict, Opposition and PN Leader Alex Borg expressed sympathy with Caruana Galizia’s family, saying they continue to await full justice nearly nine years after her assassination.

While stressing that the PN respects the jury’s decision and the principle that guilt must be proven beyond reasonable doubt, Borg argued that the verdict should not prevent scrutiny of how the investigation was handled.

He said the country has a right to know why the prosecution failed to secure a conviction on the charges brought and whether shortcomings in the investigation affected the outcome.

The PN pointed to issues raised during the trial, including allegations of conflicts of interest involving senior officials, claims that important electronic evidence was not collected, and reports of suspected information leaks. Borg questioned whether opportunities to strengthen the case had been lost because of these alleged failures.

The statement also referred to the findings of the Public Inquiry into Caruana Galizia’s assassination, which concluded that the State had created an environment that enabled the crime. The PN argued that not all of the inquiry’s recommendations have been implemented and maintained that the current Labour administration cannot distance itself from responsibility.

Borg said the verdict should not be interpreted as proof that all institutions functioned effectively, distinguishing between the work of the jury and wider questions about the State’s actions throughout the investigation.

He reaffirmed the PN’s commitment to seeking accountability, stronger independent institutions and greater protection for journalists. Borg also announced a demonstration outside Castille, describing it as a protest against what he called a serious failure of justice rather than a partisan political event.

#MaltaDaily