Opposition Leader Alex Borg has rejected claims that the Nationalist Party sought to gain political advantage from the acquittal of Yorgen Fenech in the Daphne Caruana Galizia assassination case, insisting that he deliberately refrained from commenting throughout the jury proceedings out of political responsibility.

Speaking to The Malta Independent in response to criticism that the PN organised a protest immediately after the verdict for political gain, Borg said the easiest opportunity to capitalise politically would have been during the trial itself.

"Obviously, if I truly wanted to take political advantage, the best opportunity would have been during the jury proceedings," Borg said. "Instead, I chose what was probably the toughest road, but also the most politically correct one - the path that showed political responsibility by not commenting throughout the jury."

Borg said that once the jury had delivered its verdict, however, he no longer had the option of remaining silent.

"After the jury's verdict was delivered, I not only had the opportunity but the obligation to comment on what had happened," he said.

The Opposition Leader defended the decision to hold a silent demonstration following the verdict, describing it as a measured response rather than an act of political exploitation.

"The people took to the streets in a silent demonstration. I do not believe in revenge, nor in noise or shouting," he said.

Borg argued that the moment called for unity rather than partisan division, saying the demonstration was held in his constitutional role as Leader of the Opposition rather than as leader of the Nationalist Party.

"I have an obligation to ensure that we give peace of mind to the Maltese and Gozitan people - that there are people who genuinely want to see our country move forward."