Rule of law activist group Repubblika has warned Prime Minister Robert Abela that they will "resist any attempt to strip citizens of their right to request magisterial inquiries where they see filth."

"Without this right, inquiries like this one would never happen," Repubblika said, referring to the inquiry regarding 17 Black that reportedly recently concluded. "We will closely monitor the next steps to ensure that justice is served."

Prime Minister Robert Abela last month said that the proverbial line "has completely been crossed" as he reacted to news that former PN MP Jason Azzopardi had filed a request for Clint Camilleri and his wife Deborah Camilleri to be investigated by a magistrate. Abela had that he had asked the Justice Minister to finalise the reforms to magisterial inquiries immediately so that "this abuse can be cut out once and for all."

Repubblika, in its statement regarding the 17 Black inquiry, said that it was Daphne Caruana Galizia "who exposed this secret company and its corruption. We salute Daphne, who paid with her life for her commitment to fighting the corruption that is devastating Malta. We want to express our appreciation to those who fought to ensure this inquiry took place, particularly Simon Busuttil, David Casa, and Dr. Jason Azzopardi."