Yorgen Fenech, the man accused of complicity in the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, was released from the Corradino Correctional Facility on bail on Thursday.

Fenech was greeted by his defence lawyers, and left in a black van.

Matthew Caruana Galizia, the son of the murdered journalist, wrote on social media prior to Fenech's release: "I was just informed that Yorgen Fenech will be released from custody within an hour. The prime minister had five years to fix our broken system and did nothing. No one should have to wait this long for a trial. We don't expect special treatment: this is a major problem that affects everyone."

Fenech was arrested five years ago. He had made multiple bail requests over the years - all of which were denied. His latest request in January was accepted  

On 24 January, Yorgen Fenech had been granted bail. The court had said that Fenech must pay an €80,000 deposit to secure bail while his aunt Moira Fenech will serve as his guarantor, with her Tumas Group shares - she holds 15.45% of the company - as collateral.

The court had ordered Fenech not to go within 50 metres of the coast or airport, sign a bail book at St Julian's police station every day, and stay indoors between 5pm and 11am. He will also be assigned a probation officer to supervise him and must only live at the address provided to the court.  In a previous sitting, his aunt had offered a property across the road from her for Fenech to live in. A police officer will be stationed outside the residence at all hours, and Fenech's passport and identification documents are also being held by the court. 

He was further instructed not to communicate with or approach prosecution witness, with the pardoned middleman Melvin Theuma and former OPM chief of staff Keith Schembri being two specific names mentioned.

Posting on social media, Fondazione Falcone's representative in Malta Robert Aquilina put out a warning, saying that if he "flees, we will protest non-stop until the whole government resigns".