International coverage about the latest developments in Daphne Caruana Galizia’s assassination investigations

The latest developments in the case of Daphne Caruana Galizia’s assassination featured on a number of news portals in Malta and around the world.

Euronews report entitled “Malta to pardon suspect if he reveals who ordered journalist murder” that Maltese authorities have arrested a man suspected of acting as a go-between in the 2017 murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, and Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said he would recommend a pardon if the suspect reveals who ordered the hit.

Al Jazeera reports that PM Muscat made the surprise offer after authorities last week arrested someone who claimed to know who ordered the deadly 2017 car bombing of the renowned blogger and journalist.

Washington Post reports that the suspect has “indicated they were in possession of evidence to corroborate their information,” Muscat said. It also adds “In what could be a major breakthrough in the case, the arrested man has said he will divulge the names of those responsible on condition that he is granted a pardon for any role he played in the plot and for other crimes.”

The Guardian reports that the individual has been identified in the Maltese press as Melvin Theuma, a taxi driver from Birkirkara who has previously been accused of involvement in loan sharking. He is reported to have offered to name those who gave the order in exchange for a pardon. Theuma is also said to have liaised with people who allegedly helped procure the explosive device that killed the journalist.

Three men are awaiting trial for planting the car bomb that killed Caruana Galizia near her home in the village of Bidnija in October 2017, but those whose instructions they were following are believed to be still at large.

News of the breakthrough emerged on Tuesday morning when Reuters and The Times of Malta reported the arrest.

BBC reports Muscat saying the suspected middleman was under tight police protection and his questioning in custody would continue for several days.

The Times of Malta says experts from Europol – the EU police agency – accompanied Maltese police on the raid that targeted a suspected money-laundering ring. The Europol officers seized devices in the alleged middleman’s possession.

In October, the press freedom organisation Reporters without Borders issued a detailed report on the Caruana Galizia case, sharply criticising the “flawed” Maltese investigation.

Newsbook.Com.Mt quotes crime historian Eddie Attard told Newsbook Hour on 103 – Malta’s Heart that pardons for crimes had always been given on condition that the receiver tells the whole truth. Attard said that the concept of pardons started with the British occupation of Malta.

As expected, today’s front pages, in Malta, also deal with the latest developments..

File Photo 

CD