Slain Maltese journalist's family wants top cop off probe

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 23 November 2017

Daphne Caruana Galizia's family is pushing for the removal of Deputy Police Chief Silvio Valletta from the investigation into her murder. The family argues his involvement is inappropriate due to past criticisms from the journalist.

Summary

VALLETTA, Malta - The family of a Maltese investigative journalist killed by a car bomb blast wants a top police official removed from the murder probe. Therese Comodini-Cachia, a lawyer for Daphne Caruana Galizia's family, said a first hearing was set Thursday for December 12 as part of the family's legal efforts aimed at getting Deputy Police Chief Silvio Valletta off the case. Valletta and his wife, Justyne Caruana, minister for Gozo island, were targets of the journalist's criticism. Caruana isn't related to Caruana Galizia, who was slain on October 16, when a bomb destroyed her car as she drove near home. Maltese police are investigating with the help of the FBI, Europol and Dutch forensic experts. Valletta was appointed to a government anti-money-laundering agency, which the reporter criticized. Her work probed Maltese tax havens. - AP/Photo: Reuters

KEY POINTS:

• Daphne Caruana Galizia was killed by a car bomb in October.
• The family is calling for Deputy Police Chief Silvio Valletta's removal from the investigation.
• Valletta and his wife were criticized in Galizia's reporting.
• A preliminary hearing is set for December 12.
• The investigation involves collaboration with the FBI and Europol.