Yorgen Fenech trial over Daphne Caruana Galizia murder begins
The long-awaited trial by jury of Yorgen Fenech over the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia opened on Wednesday, nearly seven years after the businessman was arrested. Fenech has pleaded not guilty to charges of complicity in the 2017 assassination and faces life imprisonment if convicted. Proceedings began with the selection and swearing-in of nine jurors and six reserve jurors, with no witnesses called on the opening day. Jurors have been instructed to avoid media coverage and decide the case solely on the evidence presented in court. Prosecutors allege Fenech recruited Melvin Theuma to arrange the murder, financed the plot with a €150,000 payment and later helped fund the defence of the accused hitmen. Fenech denies all allegations. The case has attracted significant international attention after years of legal challenges and delays, with foreign journalists and diplomats attending the opening session. (Times of Malta)
Alex Borg sole contender for PN leadership
Alex Borg has emerged as the only candidate to express interest in becoming leader of the Nationalist Party after the seven-day application period closed on Wednesday evening. The PN’s Electoral, Records and Data Commission confirmed that Borg was the sole person to submit a declaration of interest under the party’s statute. His application has now been passed to the Candidates Commission, which will carry out the required due diligence process. Once the verification is complete, the commission will report to the party’s Administrative Council and Electoral Commission on whether Borg satisfies the eligibility requirements. If approved, the Electoral Commission will formally open nominations within three days. The nomination period will remain open for five days, with Borg expected to be the only eligible candidate to submit a nomination unless the process identifies any issues during the statutory checks. (Maltatoday)
PN MP warns against complacency on druge use
Nationalist MP Frank Anthony Tabone has warned against complacency over Malta’s low youth drug use rates, saying statistics should not create a false sense of security. Speaking during Parliament’s adjournment on Wednesday, Tabone referred to recent European Union Drug Agency figures showing Malta recorded the lowest illicit drug use among young people in the EU. He argued that the figures should not overshadow the daily realities faced by families, mental health professionals, law enforcement and organisations such as OASI and Caritas. Tabone called for increased government funding for anti-drug enforcement units and said the security of Gozitan families should remain a priority. He also urged greater transparency over the long-term rental of the Nikolaos vessel used on the Gozo Channel service and renewed calls for sustained investment in Gozo’s roads, arguing infrastructure projects should be driven by need rather than electoral cycles. (The Malta Independent)
