Males discovered responsible of supplying bomb that killed investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in Malta

Two males have been convicted in Malta of supplying the explosives that killed journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia within the Mediterranean island state in 2017.

Following a six-week trial, Robert Agius, 41, and Jamie Vella, 42, have been each discovered responsible late Thursday of complicity within the assassination of the 53-year-old investigative reporter by supplying the military-grade explosive used within the automobile bombing close to her residence.

They’re anticipated to be sentenced early subsequent week, with prosecutors having requested for them to be given life in jail.

The three hitmen who carried out the homicide — brothers George and Alfred Degiorgio along with Vince Muscat — have already been convicted.

Agius and Vella have been arrested 4 years after the homicide, after Muscat agreed to testify towards them in return for a diminished sentence in that case, and a pardon for a separate homicide.

Muscat was additionally the prosecution’s key witness within the newest, during which greater than 150 individuals testified earlier than the jury, together with family of Caruana Galizia, members of the FBI and a former authorities minister.

The homicide of Caruana Galizia, who had written about cronyism and sleaze inside Malta’s political and enterprise elite, drew worldwide outrage.

There have been additionally giant protests in Malta towards prime minister Joseph Muscat over his perceived efforts to guard pals and allies from the investigation. He introduced his resignation in December 2019.

A public inquiry printed in 2021 discovered no proof of state involvement in Caruana Galizia’s assassination, however discovered the federal government created a “climate of impunity” for many who needed to silence her.

In an announcement, the Caruana Galizia household stated the newest convictions introduced them “a step closer to justice.”

“Yet, eight years after Daphne’s brutal assassination, the institutional failures that enabled her murder remain unaddressed and unreformed,” they stated.

Caruana Galizia, who was referred to as a “one-woman Wikileaks,” had reported on allegations of cash laundering, bribery and corruption in Malta for 30 years. She relentlessly pursued politicians in her residence nation on her weblog, Operating Commentary.

“She knew that the powerful people that she was writing about were closing in on her,” Galizia’s son Paul instructed 60 Minutes after her dying. “They were using every possible means to shut her down. She knew that, and that frightened her deeply.”

The Degiorgio brothers are serving 40 years every in jail for the homicide, whereas Muscat acquired a diminished sentence of 15 years.

Businessman Yorgen Fenech, who had shut ties with Joseph Muscat’s authorities, remains to be awaiting trial on prices that he masterminded the homicide.

He was arrested in November 2019 aboard his yacht as he tried to sail out of Malta. He was granted bail in January 2025, with no date but set for his trial.