European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) expresses its profound disappointment with the court’s decision to free the alleged mastermind Yorgen Fenech in the brutal assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia. This case is one of the landmark cases in Europe, and we regret that today did not bring justice for Daphne.

The murder of Malta’s most prominent investigative journalist, Daphne Caruana Galizia, on 16 October 2017, was an attack on her, on journalism, and on the rule of law and democracy.

The state failed Daphne twice: it failed to protect her when she was alive, and it failed to ensure justice after she was assassinated. The failure to ensure accountability in her case sends a disturbing message to those who attack and kill journalists.

We particularly regret that Daphne’s family has been denied full justice for their mother, wife, daughter, sister, and loved one. The family has waited almost a decade only to see justice not delivered, and throughout this period they could not rest but had to continue seeking accountability. They had no time to mourn, as the responsibility to fight for justice fell on their shoulders. No family should ever be put in a position where they must advocate for justice themselves.

This ruling is not the end of the story. The Maltese state has an international obligation to hold those who ordered her killing accountable. It also has an obligation to carry forward reforms, including implementing the recommendations of the public inquiry, to ensure no other journalists are killed in Malta and that they can operate freely.

We remember Daphne. We stand with her family. We continue to demand justice.