Judge rules Deputy Police Commissioner should step away from journalist’s murder investigation

Assistant Police Commissioner Silvio Valletta should not be involved in the investigation into the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, the court ruled today after her family contested Valletta’s involvement in the investigation.

Valletta is the husband of Gozo Minister Justyne Caruana, who was today ordered to desist from taking part in the  Caruana Galizia murder investigation due to a potential conflict of interest.

Judge Silvio Meli said that doubts on Valletta’s performance were legitimate when he was himself a politically exposed person, a husband of a minister and an FIAU chairman who was the subject of criticism by the journalist murdered.

The judge said that Valletta’s involvement in the investigation must be re-examined by his replacement.

The Attorney General may still appeal the judgement.

The family welcomed the news on Twitter.

Others, such as lawyer Justin Borg-Barthet, pointed out that for nine months the investigation was conducted in contravention of the Maltese Constitution and the European Court of Human Rights.