‘Release would disturb society’: three accused of killing Daphne Caruana Galizia denied bail
The three men accused of murdering journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia have been denied bail once again, the court saying that their release would disturb society to an unacceptable extent.
Brothers Alfred Degiorgio (known as il-Fulu) and George Degiorgio ( known as iċ-Ċiniż) together with Vince Muscat (known as il-Koħħu) have been under arrest since a dawn raid on a Marsa warehouse on 4 December. They were charged the nest day in connection with the bombing which claimed Caruana Galizia’s life.
Magistrate Claire Stafrace Za- mmit ruled that the men should be remanded in custody after their defence lawyers filed a request for bail last month.
The court pointed out the men’s criminal records, saying that they had been found guilty of a wide range of offences in the past. It said this showed that they would not have any qualms about absconding, given the opportunity.
This was made more likely by the grave nature of the charges they faced, which carry with them long prison sentences, the court said. “The modus operandi of this crime is very disturbing and is comparable to a mafia execution and, therefore, this court feels that it must protect society in general from the disturbance that would certainly be created in society if they were released.”
“In addition, the victim was not a normal person, she was a journalist and therefore her murder is interpreted as an attack on freedom of expression which is one of the pillars of our society.”
Finally, noted the court, the perpetrators did not act alone and therefore their release could prejudice the capture of other persons involved in the murder plot.
Bail was therefore denied.