The country cannot protect murderers and money launderers, Education Minister Evarist Bartolo has warned, in a Facebook post.

His comments come a day after 17 Black owner Yorgen Fenech requested a presidential pardon. The businessman was arrested on Wednesday in connection with the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia. He was the second person to request a presidential pardon in this case - the first was the middleman, who was arrested a few days earlier.

Writing on Facebook, Bartolo said the country was at a crossroads. "The country will be worse off if we protect criminals of murder, money laundering and other crimes. It will be better off if justice is carried out with everyone without fear or favour."

"Almost 100 years ago, honest people who loved our country worked to give birth to the Labour Party because they wanted a just society; not only in the distribution of wealth but also the safeguarding of the laws, that everyone is equal before the law and not people of wealth or in power ruling over all."

Bartolo, one of a few Labour exponents who has openly criticized the handling of Keith Schembri and Konrad Mizzi, also wrote on Friday, saying that justice needs to be done "without fear or favour" in the Daphne Caruana Galizia murder case.

"To move on and turn a new page, we need to know all the facts and responsibilities of those involved in the murder," Bartolo wrote, adding that he expected "all necessary steps to be taken to ensure justice, without fear or favour".