Journalists, activists, and diplomats gathered in Bidnija on Friday afternoon for a silent vigil marking the ninth anniversary of Daphne Caruana Galizia's assassination.

The solemn memorial took place at the site where a car bomb claimed her life on 16 October 2017. Church bells tolled at 3pm as attendees laid flowers at a makeshift memorial featuring a prominent poster of Caruana Galizia, honouring her memory in a quiet act of resilience and resistance.

Organised by civil society groups Repubblika and #occupyjustice, the Bidnija gathering followed an earlier vigil at the Great Siege Monument in Valletta by the Institute of Maltese Journalists.

This year's anniversary arrives under a heavy cloud following last month's acquittal of Yorgen Fenech, who had been accused of complicity and conspiracy in the murder.

While Opposition leader Alex Borg paid his respects in Bidnija earlier in the day and declared that justice remains unserved, Prime Minister Robert Abela has never visited the Bidnija site or monthly vigils throughout his six years in office.