Members of a criminal organization have been convicted for their roles in the murders of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia and lawyer Carmel Chircop. Robert Agius, 41, and his associate Jamie Vella, 42, were found guilty by a jury for complicity in the car-bomb assassination of Caruana Galizia, which took place in October 2017. This heinous act involved the use of military-grade explosives that Agius and Vella procured.
Additionally, Vella, along with Adrian Agius, 46, and George Degiorgio, 62, were convicted for their involvement in the murder of Chircop, who was shot while entering a garage in Birkirkara in October 2015. Vella and Degiorgio were specifically found guilty of wilful homicide, while Adrian Agius was implicated for commissioning Chircop’s murder due to financial disputes over a loan. Robert Agius was cleared of any involvement in Chircop’s murder.
The conviction marks a crucial step forward in seeking justice for the victims’ families. Following the verdict, the Caruana Galizia family expressed a sense of progress, stating that the verdict brings them “a step closer to justice.” The Ta’ Maksar gang, led by the Agius brothers, had been under scrutiny by law enforcement for years before their arrests in 2021, which came after Vincent ‘il-Koħħu’ Muscat, a hitman in Caruana Galizia’s murder, made a deal with authorities.
The trial engaged a wide array of testimonies, involving 157 witnesses, including members from the FBI and former government officials, highlighting the case’s significant public interest and the judicial system’s commitment to addressing such violent crimes.
Prosecutors revealed that Caruana Galizia’s murder was motivated by her investigative journalism. Prior to this trial, three men, including Muscat, had already been sentenced for their roles in the assassination, having pleaded guilty to involvement in planting and detonating the bomb. Allegations indicate that they were paid for the hit by businessman Yorgen Fenech, who has been charged separately.
The evidence presented illustrated that Agius and Vella played an “instrumental role” in the murder by acquiring the explosives required for the attack. The intent was initially to shoot Caruana Galizia; however, the plan shifted to the more lethal car bombing method.
Meanwhile, the late lawyer Carmel Chircop’s murder was spurred by a failure to repay a substantial debt, showing the desperate measures taken by the perpetrators. The painful testimonies from family members, especially from the son of Caruana Galizia, painted a vivid picture of the tragedy that unfolded.
As sentencing approaches next week, the prosecutor has requested life sentences for the convicted men, reinforcing the idea that justice, although delayed, is being pursued actively in the Maltese judicial system. The response from the public and advocacy groups has been notably supportive of the verdict, echoing a widespread desire for accountability in high-profile crimes. The ongoing judicial process may offer some hope for closure to the affected families, as well as a renewed commitment to combating organized crime.