Repubblika: 'Joseph Muscat has not been absolved of his responsibility'

Repubblika has accused former prime minister Joseph Muscat of attempting to undermine the findings of the public inquiry into the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia following Yorgen Fenech’s acquittal.

The NGO issued a statement shortly after Muscat addressed the media during a press conference. Here, Muscat said the inquiry’s main conclusion was at odds with the jury’s decision, particularly its findings concerning the Electrogas project.

“The public inquiry puts it on the Electrogas project, but the jury clearly does not believe it,” he said.

READ ALSO | Joseph Muscat denies Fenech lawyers approached him to arrange Schembri meeting

The NGO said the jury had been required to determine whether the prosecution had proved the criminal charges against Fenech beyond reasonable doubt, whereas the public inquiry examined the State’s responsibility for the circumstances in which Caruana Galizia was murdered and its failure to protect her.

Repubblika added Fenech’s acquittal therefore did not alter the inquiry’s conclusions regarding the conduct of the state or Muscat’s actions while he was prime minister.

The NGO referred in particular to the inquiry’s findings concerning Muscat’s decision not to take action against former chief of staff Keith Schembri and former minister Konrad Mizzi following revelations linked to the Panama Papers and 17 Black.

According to the inquiry, Repubblika said, those decisions created a culture of impunity in which relationships between political figures and business interests operated. The inquiry concluded that the culture of impunity “certainly facilitated the assassination”.

Repubblika also rejected what it described as Muscat’s criticism of public reactions to Fenech’s acquittal. It said that anger, criticism of the verdict and calls for accountability should not be characterised as attacks on the rule of law.

Repubblika disputed Muscat’s argument that close relations between government and business were not inherently problematic unless accompanied by abuse. It said the public inquiry had not criticised Muscat simply for meeting businesspeople, but for his response to serious allegations involving senior government figures.

The organisation said Fenech’s verdict did not erase the revelations surrounding the Panama Papers, 17 Black or Electrogas, nor the public inquiry’s findings concerning the state’s failure to protect Caruana Galizia.

“Yorgen Fenech was acquitted of the charges against him. Joseph Muscat has not been absolved of his responsibility.”