Activists hold silent vigil during Victory Day event

Activists held a silent vigil for assassinated journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia during Malta's Victory Day commemoration in Valletta on Monday.

Dozens gathered with printed photographs of the journalist in front of the Courts whilst official ceremonies took place nearby.

Sitting at the front were Prime Minister Robert Abela, Speaker Carmelo Abela, and Deputy Opposition Leader Alex Perici Calascione. Sitting beside them were Lands Minister Owen Bonnici and Equality Minister Rosianne Cutajar (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday)

The official Victory Day ceremony began at 7pm in Great Siege Square in Valletta. Sitting at the front were Prime Minister Robert Abela, Speaker Carmelo Abela, and Deputy Opposition Leader Alex Perici Calascione. Sitting beside them were Lands Minister Owen Bonnici and Equality Minister Rosianne Cutajar.

At the end of the ceremony, activists started chanting 'justice, justice' as the Prime Minister and other officials walked away.

Dozens gathered with printed photographs of the journalist near the Courts whilst official ceremonies took place nearby (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday)

The vigil comes after Yorgen Fenech was acquitted last Wednesday of masterminding Caruana Galizia's murder. Jurors found him not guilty by eight votes to one on the charge of complicity in her wilful homicide.

Supporters hold large printed photographs of Daphne Caruana Galizia holding signs which read "justice denied" (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday)

On the second charge, concerning association with a person or persons for the purpose of committing a crime in Malta, Fenech was also found not guilty by eight votes to one. The verdict came after around eight hours of deliberation, concluding a trial that lasted around two months.

Dozens of supporters stand outside holding printed photographs of Caruana Galizia (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday)

Activists held large, printed photographs of Daphne Caruana Galizia. One card showed her photograph with text stating "Daphne Caruana Galizia, Investigative Journalist. Assassinated by a car bomb on 16 October 2017, outside her home" and #JusticeForDaphne. Her printed photograph was distributed to the crowd gathered behind the celebrations.

Caruana Galizia was an investigative reporter killed by a car bomb outside her home in Bidnija in October 2017. The vigil took place at 6:55pm on Republic Street near the Courts as the Victory Day ceremony started.