The Yorgen Fenech trial today becomes the second-longest trial in Maltese criminal history involving a killing, as proceedings enter their 48th day.
Fenech's trial has now matched in length the jury trial of the so-called "Maksar" gang members, which concluded last year with the judge's sentence on the 48th day. And since Fenech's proceedings will not end today, it is assured at least second position in terms of longevity, with a chance of taking first place too.
Until now, it is surpassed only by the trial concerning former police commissioner Lawrence Pullicino, while the longest criminal trial ever held in Malta - but not involving a killing - was the six-month BICAL Bank case in 1977.
The trial of Pullicino, who was eventually sentenced to 15 years in prison for his complicity in the 1980 death of Nardu Debono during interrogation, ran from 11 January to 10 March 1993, lasting 59 days.
Fenech's trial has now equalled the 48-day jury trial involving Adrian Agius, Robert Agius, Jamie Vella and George Degiorgio, which was held between 24 April and 10 June 2025. The four men were sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of their roles in the murders of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia and lawyer Carmel Chircop. Their convictions were subsequently confirmed on appeal in January 2026.
Fenech is pleading not guilty to two principal charges: complicity in the wilful homicide of Caruana Galizia and criminal association to commit murder.
Caruana Galizia, a columnist with The Malta Independent, was killed when a car bomb exploded in her vehicle in Bidnija on 16 October 2017.
Fenech's trial, which began on 1 July 2026, has involved extensive testimony from a number of witnesses, including self-confessed murder middleman Melvin Theuma, whose evidence has been subjected to prolonged cross-examination. It continues today.
The duration of the proceedings reflects the complexity and scale of the case.
If proceedings on Fenech continue till the end of this month, the trial would surpass in length of time the one concerning Pullicino to become the longest ever in Malta concerning a killing.
The only trial longer than both is the BICAL Bank case, which lasted approximately six months in 1977 and remains the longest criminal trial in Maltese history.