Three jurors who were investigated on suspicion of perjury following the Yorgen Fenech trial will not be charged, MaltaToday reports.
The jurors were among several people questioned by police over public statements they had made on social media about the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia before the trial. These declarations had not been disclosed during the process of selecting the jury.
Lawyer Veronique Dalli, who represented one of the jurors, told MaltaToday that officers from the Financial Crime Investigation Department informed her client on Thursday morning that no charges would be filed against him.
"The perjury investigation involving my client has been closed and no charges will be filed," Dalli said.
Lawyer Luciano Busuttil, who represented two other jurors, also confirmed to the newspaper that his clients would not face charges in connection with the investigation.
The jurors were arrested and questioned after the trial on suspicion that they had committed perjury when taking their oath during the jury selection process. They had been specifically asked whether they had ever made public statements about the murder of Caruana Galizia.
All those questioned were released on police bail while investigators examined their previous social media activity.
Their police bail expired on Thursday morning, but it remains unclear whether any of the other individuals investigated will face charges.
Fenech was acquitted earlier this month of conspiracy and association in the murder of Caruana Galizia, following a 55-day trial. Both charges resulted in an 8-1 majority verdict in his favour.
Caruana Galizia was murdered in October 2017. Five men have been sentenced for their roles in carrying out the assassination and supplying the bomb used to kill her, but the person alleged to have masterminded the murder has not been convicted.
Fenech was arrested in November 2019 and charged with ordering and financing the murder. He denied the charges and was acquitted, in a verdict that sent shockwaves across the country.
The Attorney General has appealed the acquittal and is seeking a retrial.