Updated | Government 'resolute' to get to the bottom of Caruana Galizia murder

On the first anniversary of Daphne Caruana Galizia’s assassination, the Maltese government says it is confident that anyone else responsible for the murder will be brought to justice • PN says people still waiting for justice, one year on

Forensic experts on the scene of the bomb blast that killed Daphne Caruana Galizia on this day, last year
Forensic experts on the scene of the bomb blast that killed Daphne Caruana Galizia on this day, last year

Updated at 12.05pm with PN statement

The Maltese government has reiterated its resolve to see that justice is served in the Daphne Caruana Galizia murder case.

In a statement released on Tuesday morning to mark the first anniversary since Caruana Galizia’s assassination, the government said it will continue to support all efforts by the police and the investigating magistrate “to find the truth”.

“Three people have been arrested and are being prosecuted for carrying out the murder, and the government is confident that anyone else responsible will be found and brought to justice,” the statement said.

Describing the journalist’s killing as a “horrific murder”, the government said its thoughts were with her family and friends “who are no doubt still grieving over this senseless act of violence”.

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“The government is resolute in its determination to see justice served,” the government insisted, adding Malta was committed to upholding human rights, freedom of speech, the protection of journalists and the rule of law.

“This sad anniversary is a stark reminder that we need to work together to protect the freedoms that democratic society affords us,” the statement ended.

Caruana Galizia was killed by a car bomb on this day last year. Three men have been charged with the murder but the mastermind is believed to be still at large. The compilation of evidence against the accused is ongoing.

International press freedom groups in Malta to mark the murder anniversary, yesterday called on Prime Minister Joseph Muscat to initiate a distinct judicial public inquiry with the remit to determine whether Caruana Galizia's murder could have been avoided.

Muscat said he did not exclude setting up a separate inquiry once the ongoing magisterial investigation is concluded.

Opposition leader Adrian Delia laid flowers at the makeshift memorial dedicated to Daphne Caruana Galizia in Valletta
Opposition leader Adrian Delia laid flowers at the makeshift memorial dedicated to Daphne Caruana Galizia in Valletta

PN: People still waiting for justice

The Nationalist Party said that a year after Caruana Galizia's murder, people were still waiting for justice to be done.

It said the killing was a “very serious threat” to every citizen’s right to free expression, and to the protection of journalists and rule of law in Malta.

The PN insisted that Caruana Galizia's murder had left a strong impact on the functioning of democracy in Malta, and on the country’s reputation, having led to a loss in trust in its institutions, including the Attorney General and Police Commissioner.

The party reiterated its call for an autonomous independent public inquiry into whether the crime could have been prevented.

What's happening today

A silent vigil will be held in Bidnija today at 2.30pm on the same spot where the journalist was blown up. A mass in remembrance of Caruana Galizia will be be held at the St Francis Conventual Church on Republic Street, Valletta at 6pm.

This will be followed by a march for Truth and Justice, organised by activist group Occupy Justice and blogger Manuel Delia. The march will be held in Valletta at 7pm.

This afternoon's parliamentary session has been cancelled as a sign of respect to the slain journalist.