Mourners Pay Tribute to Daphne Caruana Galizia, Slain Journalist Who Exposed Malta’s Corrupt Elite
A Life Cut Short: The Murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia
On a sunny afternoon in October 2017, Matthew Caruana Galizia was sitting with his mother, Daphne, at their family home when she finished writing her latest blog post. “There are crooks everywhere you look now,” she wrote. “The situation is desperate.” Just minutes later, a powerful bomb exploded under her car seat as she drove away from the house. Matthew, then just 16 years old, was left to confront the horror of his mother’s murder.
A Journalist Who Exposed Corruption
Daphne Caruana Galizia, a prominent Maltese journalist, had made enemies in high places for her relentless pursuit of corruption and abuse of power by the country’s elite. Her investigations into money laundering, bribery, and embezzlement had targeted some of Malta’s most powerful figures.
The Investigation: A Long Road to Justice
As investigators struggled to find her killers, many speculated that Daphne’s murder was an act of state-sponsored terrorism, orchestrated by one of her numerous high-profile enemies. Two years on from the tragedy, justice remains elusive for the Caruana Galizia family and the people of Malta who mourned Daphne’s loss.
A Reflection of Deeper Rot
Despite the lack of progress in the case, many are left to ponder whether Daphne’s murder was a reflection of the deeper rot that afflicts Malta’s political system. Critics argue that the country’s prime minister, Joseph Muscat, has fostered an atmosphere of impunity by shielding corrupt officials and ignoring allegations of wrongdoing.
- “The system is basically flawed, because the prime minister ultimately controls the attorney general, who also controls the police. Nobody’s being tried. And of course, the sense of impunity is being fuelled by this fact.” - Ana Maria Gomes, Portuguese MEP
Recent Developments: Resignations and Arrests
In recent months, Muscat and his chief of staff, Keith Schembri, have resigned amidst a firestorm over their handling of Daphne’s murder investigation. One of Malta’s wealthiest men with close ties to the government has also been arrested in connection with her investigations.
A Quest for Justice
For Matthew Caruana Galizia, the quest for justice is not just about finding his mother’s killers but also about holding accountable those who treated Malta as a “gigantic trough” they could feed from for years. He believes that true justice will only come when all the corrupt individuals Daphne exposed are brought to account.
Confronting Corruption
As Malta struggles to confront its dark underbelly, many are left to wonder whether the country can ever truly move forward without first confronting the rot at its core. The legacy of Daphne Caruana Galizia serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of holding those in power accountable and fighting for transparency and justice.