Nearly nine years after investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was assassinated in a car bomb attack that shocked Malta and reverberated around the world, the trial by jury of businessman Yorgen Fenech, accused of complicity in her murder, officially got underway on Wednesday.

The opening day of proceedings at the Valletta law courts marked the beginning of what is expected to be one of the longest and most closely watched criminal trials in Malta's recent history.

The first sitting was dedicated to procedural matters, starting off with the selection of the nine jurors and six substitutes, with Judge Edwina Grima reading out the bill of indictment and explaining to the jurors the responsibilities they will shoulder over the coming weeks before testimony begins on Thursday.

Fenech, 44, has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The businessman faces two principal charges. The first alleges complicity in the wilful homicide of Caruana Galizia, while the second accuses him of criminal association to commit an offence punishable by imprisonment, namely the journalist's murder.

The charges stem from the assassination of Caruana Galizia, a columnist for The Malta Independent and The Malta Independent on Sunday, who was killed when a bomb hidden beneath the driver's seat of her car exploded shortly after she left her Bidnija home on 16 October 2017.

The murder sparked outrage both locally and internationally, prompting years of criminal investigations, political fallout and public inquiries before culminating in Wednesday's long-awaited jury trial.

Reading the indictment, Judge Grima outlined the prosecution's allegations against Fenech, who is accused of commissioning the murder through middleman Melvin Theuma.

According to the prosecution, the alleged conspiracy began in April 2017, when Fenech allegedly asked Theuma to identify people willing to carry out the assassination.

Theuma is alleged to have approached Alfred Degiorgio, who, together with his brother George Degiorgio and Vincent Muscat, agreed to carry out the killing for €150,000.

The indictment states that plans to execute the murder were temporarily suspended following the announcement of the 2017 general election, before resuming shortly afterwards.

Prosecutors allege that €30,000 were allegedly paid to the hitmen in advance and the remaining €120,000 handed over after the murder had been carried out.

As the months passed, the indictment alleges, Fenech repeatedly pressed Theuma to ensure the killing took place quickly because he believed Caruana Galizia was preparing to publish information about him.

The prosecution further alleges that the journalist's movements were monitored before an explosive device was placed beneath the driver's seat of her car during the night between 15 and 16 October 2017.

The bomb was allegedly detonated remotely via SMS at 2.58pm on 16 October, shortly after Caruana Galizia left her home.

According to the indictment, the remaining €120,000 was paid days after the assassination, together with an additional €5,000 to cover expenses allegedly incurred during preparations for the attack.

The second charge accuses Fenech of conspiring with one or more persons to murder Caruana Galizia. It is based on the same alleged facts contained in the principal charge and introduces no additional allegations.

Addressing the jurors, Judge Grima repeatedly reminded them that the allegations contained in the indictment remain accusations that must be proven beyond reasonable doubt.

She stressed that Fenech must be presumed innocent unless and until the prosecution satisfies the legal burden of proof.

The judge cautioned jurors against allowing emotions, previous knowledge or media reports to influence their judgment.

"You are in a bubble," she told them, explaining that everything they may have previously heard, read or discussed about the case must be put aside.

News reports and public commentary, she emphasised, do not constitute evidence.

The verdict, she said, must be based solely on the testimony and exhibits presented during the trial.

She also reminded jurors that the burden of proof rests entirely on the prosecution and that Fenech is under no obligation to testify or present evidence in his own defence.

If reasonable doubt remains at the conclusion of the trial, the accused must be acquitted, she explained.

Judge Grima instructed jurors that they are entitled to ask questions whenever witnesses testify if they require clarification on any evidence.

She also outlined the strict measures designed to preserve the integrity of the proceedings.

Jurors will effectively be isolated from outside influence for the duration of the trial. They have been prohibited from using mobile phones, smart watches, tablets or laptops and instructed not to communicate with anyone about the case until a verdict has been delivered.

Any necessary contact with family members will take place only under court supervision.

Justice, the judge reminded the panel, cannot be influenced by public opinion, fear or sympathy but must rest entirely on facts established in court.

Wednesday's sitting ended after the judge completed her instructions, with proceedings set to resume on Thursday morning when the Attorney General's office is expected to begin presenting its case.

No witnesses testified during the opening day.

Earlier in the afternoon, defence lawyers raised concerns about extensive live coverage of the proceedings, arguing that future witnesses could potentially follow media reports before giving evidence.

The defence suggested that some testimony involving particularly sensitive information might need to be heard behind closed doors.

Judge Grima replied that such concerns would be addressed if and when they arise during the course of the trial.

The case has attracted exceptional public and international attention.

Apart from large numbers of Maltese journalists filling the courtroom, foreign media organisations were also present to follow proceedings.

Representatives of international media freedom organisations also attended the opening day.

Among them was Pavol Szalai, director of the Prague bureau of Reporters Without Borders, who described the proceedings as a historic opportunity to establish the truth behind the assassination.

He said that, nearly nine years after Caruana Galizia's murder, hope had been renewed that justice would finally be served, adding that ending impunity in such a prominent European case would strengthen the fight for press freedom and justice elsewhere.

The trial represents the latest chapter in a criminal investigation that has unfolded over almost nine years.

Five men have already been convicted in connection with the murder itself.

Vincent Muscat admitted participating in the assassination in 2021 and was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment.

Brothers Alfred and George Degiorgio pleaded guilty on the opening day of their own trial in 2022 and were sentenced to 40 years each for carrying out the murder.

Last year, Robert Agius and Jamie Vella were sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of supplying the bomb used in the assassination.

Attention has now shifted to determining whether the prosecution can prove that Fenech commissioned the killing.

The prosecution is being led by Attorney General lawyers Godwin Cini, Anthony Vella and Danika Vella together with Assistant Commissioner Keith Arnaud and Inspector Kurt Zahra.

Fenech is represented by lawyers Charles Mercieca and Gianluca Caruana Curran, while lawyers Therese Comodini Cachia and Jason Azzopardi are appearing on behalf of the Caruana Galizia family.

With the jury now sworn in and instructed on its duties, attention turns to the presentation of evidence that will seek either to establish or refute one of the most serious criminal allegations ever heard before a Maltese court.

The proceedings are expected to continue for several weeks as investigators, forensic experts, police officers and key witnesses take the stand.

You can follow the minute by minute reporting below:

18:03 The judge explains the jury process and how it pans out. She also introduces the lawyers on each side.

She ends her address, thanks the jurors, and reminds them justice must be served.

"I thank you all, you may retire," she says.

The jury continues tomorrow at 9am, with Attorney General lawyers opening the session.

17.55 "While hearing evidence and testimonies, you can participate, ask questions, every time a witness testifies. No need to be shy," judge Edwina Grima tells the jurors "You have the right for the facts to be clear to you. When we come to the end you enter into the deliberation stage, and then you place your vote."

She says to ensure the integrity of the process, jurors need to cut off all contact, and to not bring any mobiles, smartwatches, laptops and tablets, as it is prohibited.

"Opening a window to the outside is prohibited, you have to be cut off," she says.

If they have emergencies they can contact family members under supervision, with their free time also under supervision.

17:53 Judge Grima is still instructing the jury, emphasising that Fenech must be presumed innocent.

She cautioned the jurors against making any assumptions of guilt based on the defendant's appearance and reminded them that Fenech is not required to speak or testify during the trial.

The judge also clarified that the prosecution holds the entire burden of proof. For a conviction to be reached, the jury must be convinced of Fenech's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt; if any such doubt remains, the decision must be made in the accused's favour. 

17:39 Apart from interest from foreign media, the Yorgen Fenech trial is also being followed by Reporters Without Borders, represented by RSF Prague Bureau director, Pavol Szalai.

In a statement on Wednesday, just after the trial kicked off, Szalai commented: "Nearly nine years after the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia, hope has been renewed today that justice will finally be served. This historic trial must expose the truth about the despicable criminal plot and the deadly chain of events that led to the execution of a journalist within the European Union. Ending impunity in this emblematic European case would give a boost to the fight for justice everywhere else in the world."

17:30 The judge tells jurors they must "decide on facts, and not on what they believe."

She says the decision to be made by the jurors should only be based on the evidence that is going to be presented in court.

"You are in a bubble. Anything you have heard before, reports, discussions, public articles, you must throw them out, forget them, they are not poof," she tells jurors. "Sometimes there are news articles explaining cases, but they are not the proof inside the case, you must ensure that everything, any opinions, discissions - they mean nothing in here."

She insists justice is not based on sentiment, nor can there be fear of taking decisions, or any outside influence.

"Until you register your verdict, you cannot communicate with anyone except the court," she says.

17:20 The judge now turns and starts addressing jurors in the court room. 

The judge begins by explaining that these are criminal proceedings, they are going to be given a handbook so they know what is expected from them during these proceedings, what is expected from them and what they should know.

"Welcome to the criminal court," she tells them.

17:16 The judge finishes reading the Bill of Indictment. She now turns and starts addressing jurors in the court room.

16:58 The indictment presents two charges against Fenech: complicity in the wilful homicide of Caruana Galizia and criminal association to commit the murder.

The indictment states that the plan was temporarily put on hold following the announcement of the 2017 general election.

Prosecutors further allege that as the months passed, Fenech pressured Theuma to ensure the killing was carried out quickly, believing Caruana Galizia was preparing to publish information about him. 

The prosectution alleges that the suspected hitmen monitored the journalist's movements before planting an explosive device beneath the driver's seat of her vehicle during the night between 15 and 16 October 2017. The bomb was detonated via SMS at 2:58:55pm on 16 October, shortly after Caruana Galizia left her home in Bidnija.

Prosecutors further claim that the remaining €120,000 was paid days after the murder, along with an additional €5,000 to cover expenses allegedly incurred during the preparations. €30,000 had been paif upfront, the prosecutors further claimed.

The second charge alleges that Fenech conspired with one or more individuals to commit the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia in Malta. It is based on the same facts outlined in the first charge and introduces no additional allegations.

16:52 The defence in the case have raised an issue with the live blog coverage surrounding this case. They say that future witnesses will be able to know what previous witnesses have testified before they enter the courtroom.

The lawyers are asking whether certain testimonies can be heard behind closed doors due to sensitive information. 

Judge Edwina Grima said the court will field concerns when they arise.

16:50 It is likely that today's sitting will be reserved for the judge's reading of the bill of indictment and address to the jurors. No witnesses are expected to testify today.

16:39 Journalists have entered Hall 22 and are now waiting for jurors to be called in.

16:06 As Judge Edwina Grima is set to read out the bill of indictment shortly, Daphne Caruana Galizia's family are seen entering the court.

15:43 Yorgen Fenech isn't the first person to be charged over the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Vince "Il-Koħħu" Muscat was the first person to be convicted in connection with the murder. In 2021, he admitted to his involvement as one of the hitmen in the murder and was given a 15-year prison sentence.

One year later, brothers Alfred and George Degiorgio admitted to their involvement in the murder on the first day of their trial. They are serving a 40-year prison sentence.

In 2025, Robert Agius and Jamie Vella were sent to life in prison after they were found guilty of supplying the bomb that killed Caruana Galizia. 

15:07 Local newsrooms aren't the only ones interested in what is expected to be the most important trial in recent Maltese history. 

Foreign media outlets such as the BBC and New York Times are present at the Valletta Law Courts, along with foreign media freedom organisations.

15:04 Those who were at court on Wednesday morning might've suspected that something unusual was going on in the building.

The corridors of the courts were "very hot and full of people," as jurors were selected by the prosecution and defence in a process that goes on behind closed doors.

The process got on smoothly except for when a reserve juror needed medical attention after passing out. 

15:00 On 16 October 2017, Daphne Caruana Galizia was killed after a bomb went off in her car while she was driving in Bidnija.

Fenech was arrested almost two years later on 20 November 2019 on his yacht as it was leaving the Portomaso Marina. To this day, Fenech denies all charges against him.

The alleged mastermind was arraigned in court on 1 December 2019. That day, he did not request bail and remained at the Corradino Correctional Facility until February 2025.

14:50 Judge Edwina Grima is expected to read out the bill of indictment before starting her address to jurors at around 4pm.

Earlier this morning, nine members of the jury as well as six reserve jurors were selected at the Valletta Law Courts.

14:45 The trial of Yorgen Fenech, accused in relation to the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia is officially underway this afternoon.