A journalist who played a prominent role in the Panama Paper investigation into corruption, tax avoidance and the offshore business entities of politicians and other wealthy individuals has been killed in Malta.
Daphne Caruana Galizia, 53, died when the car she was driving exploded shortly after she left her home in Bidnija, near Mosta. Her death came shortly after she posted to her widely read blog, Running Commentary.
In the latest entry she wrote: "There are crooks everywhere you look now, the situation is desperate."
Her final blog. (Credit: Running Commentary)
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, who Galizia accused of wrongdoing earlier this year, denounced the killing.
"I condemn without reservations this barbaric attack on a person and on the freedom of expression in our country," he said in a televised statement.
"Everyone knows Ms Caruana Galizia was a harsh critic of mine, both politically and personally, as she was for others too."
He went on to say there could be 'no justification... in any way' for such action, adding: "I will not rest before justice is done."
Following analysis of the leaked Panama Paper documents, Galizia had accused the wife of Malta's PM of owning a suspicious offshore company in the Central American country. The two deny the accusation.
A vigil was held in the country by activists following her death and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has offered a €20,000 (£17.7k) reward for anybody who provides information leading to the conviction of her killers. He said he was 'outraged' to hear about her 'murder'.
The death was also described as a 'political murder' by Malta's opposition leader Adrian Delia.
He said: "What happened today is not an ordinary killing. It is a consequence of the total collapse of the rule of law which has been going on for the past four years.
"We will not accept an investigation by the Commissioner of Police, the Army commander or the duty magistrate, all of whom were at the heart of criticism by Caruana Galizia."
European Parliament President, Antonio Tajani, described the murder as 'brutal'. He wrote on Twitter: "Tragic example of journalist who sacrificed her life to seek out the truth. She won't be forgotten."
Advert
Source: BBC
Featured Image Credit: PA ImagesTopics: News
