Ten arrested in Malta over bomb murder of journalist

TEN people were arrested in Malta yesterday in connection with the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia, the crusading anti-corruption journalist who died in a car-bomb attack near her home two months ago.

Mrs Caruana Galizia had made enemies within both the government and opposition with her revelations of alleged corruption and money laundering in her blog, Running Commentary.

She had accused the wife of Joseph Muscat, the prime minister, of receiving €1 million (£880,000) from Azerbaijan’s ruling family and stashing the money in secret offshore accounts in Panama – allegations which the premier vehemently denies.

The arrests were announced by Mr Muscat, who said the suspects were all Maltese nationals, some with criminal records. Two of the suspects were identified by the Maltese media as brothers Alfred and George Degiorgio. They were arrested in an area called Massa, near Valletta, the capital.

Mr Muscat declined to say whether it was alleged the suspects had commissioned or executed the murder. “I have a clear idea of what they did and who they are, but I cannot give out more details at this time,” he added.

The prime minister, who had previously described the journalist as his biggest adversary, reiterated his commitment to bringing her murderers to justice. “As I stated as soon as I learnt about this barbaric act, we will leave no stone unturned to get this case solved,” he said. “I am committed to doing so more than ever.”

Mrs Caruana Galizia, 53, was blown up by a car bomb as she left her home on Oct 16.