Four Murders For Every Verdict: Daphne Foundation Warns Delays Are Putting Justice At Risk
Malta’s justice system is struggling to keep pace with the country’s murder rate, according to a new report by the Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation which found that for every four murders committed, only one case is concluded in court.
The report, titled Justice at Risk, paints a stark picture of systemic delays that have left nearly half of Malta’s murder trials still pending, with some victims’ families waiting more than a decade for closure. Between 2010 and 2024, Malta recorded 88 cases of wilful homicide, yet almost half remain unresolved.
‘Justice is at risk’
The Foundation’s findings show that 46% of homicide cases committed and arraigned between 2010 and 2020 are still pending, while one in four murders during that period never led to charges at all, all predating 2018. The data suggests that court proceedings for murder in Malta move at a fraction of the speed seen elsewhere in Europe.
“Justice is at risk,” the report warns, noting that on average, accused persons wait three years after indictment just to get a trial date. The long waits, it says, increase the chances that defendants abscond, die, or become unfit to stand trial — while crucial evidence and witness memories fade.
Mounting backlog despite high spending
Although Malta spends more per person on its court system than almost any other EU country, the Foundation found that it still has one of the smallest judiciaries in Europe, and among the lowest case resolution rates.
The report highlights that Malta averages six murders a year but resolves only 1.5 cases annually, a pattern that’s creating a growing backlog of unresolved cases.
Chief Justice Mark Chetcuti has also repeatedly warned about the backlog, noting that the criminal court is overloaded and calling for more judges and better digital infrastructure to cope with demand.
Families left in limbo
For victims’ families, the long waits have become unbearable. The report quotes several relatives of homicide victims who describe being left “in the dark” for years, with postponed hearings, inconsistent updates, and a lack of accountability from the courts.
The family of Chantelle Chetcuti, murdered in 2020, told the Foundation: “Now, more than five years later, we are still waiting. No trial. No justice. Only silence.”
Call for reform
The Daphne Foundation is urging an overhaul of Malta’s judicial system — from digitising court records to hiring more judges and streamlining legal procedures. Among its recommendations are formal performance targets, stricter timelines for trials, and better victim support throughout the process.
“The current state of affairs not only denies justice to victims but also erodes public trust in the judiciary and in the state’s ability to uphold democracy,” the report concludes.