The Cabinet has advised the President not to grant a presidential pardon to brothers Alfred and George Degiorgio, who stand accused of murdering journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

In a statement, the government said the decision was taken in line with the advice given by the Attorney General and the Commissioner of Police.

The Cabinet’s decision is not only based on the advice given by the relevant authorities but is also taken in the national interest and in the interest of the fair administration of justice, the govenrment said.

The request had been made on 4 April 2022. The brothers had once again requested a pardon in exchange for information about the involvement of a former minister in the murder. In their latest application, they had highlighted past requests they had made.

The brothers have also filed urgent Constitutional proceedings against the Prime Minister, Justice Minister, Cabinet, The Police Commissioner, State Advocate and Attorney General.  In their court filings, the Degiorgios claim to hold information about a murder mastermind and middleman who have not been charged or pardoned, in connection with the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia. They said that the information they have is direct information, and not hearsay.

Thus far, Yorgen Fenech has been charged with masterminding the murder while Melvin Theuma has received a presidential pardon after admitting that he was the middleman in the murder.

The Degiorgios had been charged, together with Vince Muscat, with the journalist’s murder. Muscat was sentenced to 15 years after he admitted to the charges.