US embassy offers aid to help Maltese authorities solve Caruana Galizia murder 'in a credible manner'

The US embassy has said that it is not too late for the persons behind Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder to be brought to justice in a credible way.

The embassy said it had supported the Maltese government in the investigation which led to the arrest of three men suspected to have carried out the murder, and once again offered to support the investigation if requested.

In a statement on Twitter, which appears to have gone beyond diplomatic formalities, the US embassy said the government was still in time to prosecute Caruana Galizia’s murderers “in a credible manner.”

The statement, issued on the second anniversary of Caruana Galizia’s assassination, noted that since 2010, 19 bomb attacks - five of which were fatal - had taken place, and that “too many remain unresolved.”

It said that the crime stood apart because it involved “an influential journalist and a blogger of international renown who took risks to promote greater transparency and speak uncomfortable truths to those in power.”

“Following the Maltese government’s initial request for assistance, we supported our Maltese partners in the investigation that led to three arrests so far,” the embassy said.

“We stand ready to support the investigation in any way we can, if requested by Maltese authorities.”

The embassy welcomed the decision to hold a public inquiry into the murder, and reiterated its call for a “thorough, transparent, and timely conclusion to the investigation into Daphne’s death.”

“Accountability, strong judicial processes, transparency, and convictions are the best ways to support freedom of expression and rule of law, and deter future would-be criminal.”

The embassy added that “it is not too late for Malta to bring Daphne’s killers to justice in a credible manner.”

Government’s commitment

The Maltese government has reiterated the commitment to “continue delivering justice”, two years after the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia, a statement released yesterday affirmed.

The government described the assassination as “a shocking attack on the whole country”.

The statement noted that investigations, with the involvement at various stages of international organisations such as FBI and Europol, are ongoing.

“Within 50 days of the murder, three persons were arrested and arraigned in court accused of the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia. Earlier this year, they were placed under a bill of indictment. The government has full faith in the ongoing work of the investigators, and the independent inquiring magistrate, who should be allowed to continue carrying out their duties in a serene and independent manner,” the statement read.

The government said an independent inquiry is also being established. The setting up of the independent inquiry was announced last month but the government has held meetings with the Caruana Galizia family after it raised objections about the people chosen to sit on the inquiry.

Government appointed former judge Michael Mallia, law professor Ian Refalo and forensic expert Anthony Abela Medici and tasked them to probe whether the murder could have been prevented.