MEPs return to Malta for inspection on rule of law

Six members of the European Parliament will kick off a two-day visit in Malta on Monday to probe progress in investigations, court proceedings and reforms following the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in 2017.

The MEPs, who form part of the EP’s civil liberties committee, will be taking stock of the latest developments as regards the rule of law, recent judicial reforms, the safety of journalists, anti-corruption measures and citizenship and residence by investment schemes.

During their visit, they are scheduled to meet the president, the prime minister, cabinet members, the attorney general, the speaker and members of parliament. A meeting with the chief justice was also requested but this is yet to be confirmed.

The MEPs will also hold talks with commissioners and senior civil servants, representatives of Europol (the EU’s police agency) and regulatory bodies, as well as NGOs, civil society, journalists, representatives of the Daphne Project and Caruana Galizia’s family.

They are expected to give a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.

The delegation is the third one to visit the island on a fact-finding mission since the journalist’s murder in 2017.

Six MEPs...