Updated | Court cases to stop at noon, national day of mourning for Daphne Caruana Galizia's funeral

A national day of mourning will be held on the day of the funeral of Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was killed in a car bomb attack two weeks ago.

The decision, was communicated by the Government in statement, where it said that now that the date of the funeral had been fixed, a day of mourning could be held this Friday.

All flags on public buildings will be flown at half-mast on the day.  

The Government said the day of mourning was being official announced to show that “no attack on the freedom of expression is acceptable” in Malta’s democracy.

“It is also a sign of respect from a united nation,” said a statement.

 “The Government appeals for this sentiment of mourning to be respected by everyone. Times like these reflect the strength of our democracy.”

The main door of the law courts will be half-closed on Friday and will have a black sash stuck on as a sign of respect for the slain journalist, MaltaToday is informed.

Sources said Chief Justice Silvio Camilleri has also recommended all non-urgent cases to stop at noon so that members of the judiciary and lawyers who so wish will be able to attend the funeral. The journalist’s husband, Peter Caruana Galizia is a lawyer.

The association of judges and magistrates had asked the Chief Justice to recommend cases stop at noon.

Sources said that after the Chief Justice’s decision, the secretary of the association, Magistrate Francesco Depasquale, invited members of the judiciary to heed the recommendation so that the judiciary would send “a sober message without too much pomp”.

The decision on whether to stop cases at noon ultimately rests with the individual members of the judiciary.

The funeral will be held at the Mosta parish church at 2pm on Friday and will be followed by a private burial. Archbishop Charles Scicluna is expected to celebrate Mass.

Caruana Galizia’s sister took to Facebook earlier this week to say that the media’s presence at the funeral was “unwanted, unwarranted, and unauthorised”.