Leading journalists, writers, free speech organisations from across the globe have come together to demand EU Leaders hold Prime Minister Joseph Muscat to account for political interference in Daphne Caruana Galizia murder investigation.

“We, the undersigned organisations, urge European Union leaders to call on Prime Minister Muscat to guarantee that all investigations and legal proceedings related to the Daphne Caruana Galizia murder are conducted efficiently, transparently and without any interference from any individual potentially implicated in the case,” the organisations said in a statement.

Muscat is set to met EU leaders during a council summit tomorrow.

Muscat resigned in the fallout of the charge and arrest of Yorgen Fenech in connection with the assassination, and the murder’s links to his own office. However, he is insistent on staying on till 12th January with a leadership election taking place.

“In addition to these emerging allegations, Prime Minister Muscat has consistently placed himself at the centre of the investigation, acting as the main source of information in relation to its progress including whether pardons will be given to suspects in exchange for evidence. The Police Commissioner and Attorney General have been absent from communications with the public and press,” they said.

In the statement, the organisations pointed to recent European Parliament fact-finding mission to Malta, where MEPs reiterated calls for Muscat to step down immediately.  Meanwhile, European Commissioner Vera Jourova even suggested that there may be grounds for triggering an Article 7 procedure against Malta.

The statement was signed by:

ARTICLE 19, Association of European Journalists, Committee to Protect Journalists, European Centre for Press and Media Freedom, IFEX, Index on Censorship, International Federation of Journalists, International Press Institute, PEN International, Reporters Without Borders, Scottish PEN, Transparency International