United States Offers FBI’s Expertise To Help Nail Caruana Galizia Murder Mastermind
FBI investigators could return to Malta to help find the mastermind behind Daphne Caruana Galizia’s assassination after the United States government said it is willing to help out in any way it can.
“Two years ago today, Daphne Caruana Galizia was murdered in a heinous car bomb attack,” the US Embassy in Malta said yesterday. “Since 2010, there have been 19 bomb attacks – five fatal – and too many remain unresolved. The attack on Daphne stands apart because she was an influential journalist and blogger of international renown who took risks to promote greater transparency and speak uncomfortable truths to those in power.”
The FBI had assisted the Maltese police in the early stages of the investigation, using triangulation and other methods to trace the locations of the three murder suspects through their mobile phones. The suspects, brothers George and Alfred Degiorgio and Vince Muscat, were arrested in December 2017 and are awaiting trial.
While the FBI is no longer active in the investigations, Europol, the EU’s law enforcement agency, is reportedly still helping the Maltese police.
“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 US embassy said. “We stand ready to support the investigation in any way we can, if requested by Maltese authorities.”
“On the second anniversary of her murder, we welcome the decision to hold a public inquiry and continue to call for a thorough, transparent an 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 criminals. It is not too late for Malta to bring Daphne’s killers to justice in a credible manner.”
The Maltese government also issued a statement to say the authorities remain committed to delivering justice but without directly responded to the United States’ offer.
“The investigations, with the involvement at various stages of international organisations such as FBI and Europol, are ongoing,” it said. “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.”
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