NGOs to hold solidarity protest following Yorgen Fenech acquittal

Several NGOs are set to take part in a solidarity protest in Valletta on Wednesday 16 September, following the acquittal of Yorgen Fenech over the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

The protest, organised by Repubblika, will begin at 7pm.

A number of civil society organisations have expressed their support, including aditus, Moviment Graffitti, PEN Malta, the National Youth Council (KNŻ), Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA), the University Students' Council (KSU), the Malta Entertainment Industry and Arts Association (MEIA), SOS Malta and Friends of the Earth Malta.

Moviment Graffitti has also publicly announced that it will participate in the demonstration.

In a statement, the organisation said nine years had passed since Caruana Galizia's assassination and that Malta was "still without justice".

The organisation said the significance of the verdict extended beyond the outcome of the trial, arguing that the proceedings had exposed what it described as deep-rooted problems within Malta's political and institutional system.

It said Fenech, whom it described as one of Malta's richest and most powerful people, had benefited from close relationships with members of the political class and government.

Moviment Graffitti referred to the findings of the public inquiry into Caruana Galizia's assassination, published in 2021. The inquiry found that the Maltese state had created an atmosphere in which the journalist's assassination became possible, and highlighted excessive and inappropriate links between business interests, politicians and state institutions.

The organisation said those concerns were reflected in its own campaigning on issues including workers' rights, the privatisation of public land, development and decisions by authorities that it says favour a small number of powerful interests over the common good.

It also criticised the government for failing to implement what it described as the most important recommendations of the public inquiry.

"Therefore, on Wednesday, 16 September, at 7pm, we will participate in the protest organised by Repubblika to express our solidarity with Daphne Caruana Galizia's family and demand justice for them and for our country," Moviment Graffitti said.

The organisation said the events of the past nine years had demonstrated the emergence of what it called a class of people in Malta who were "above the law".

It argued that the country needed fundamental change to ensure that its institutions served the public rather than people with wealth and political influence.

The protest is expected to focus on solidarity with Caruana Galizia's family and calls for justice and institutional reform following the conclusion of the criminal proceedings against Fenech.