Valletta (AFP)

Here are the key moments in the case of the October 2017 assassination of Maltese anti-corruption journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia:

- An unprecedented attack -

On 16 October 2017, blogger Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was investigating corruption at the highest level, was killed by a bomb in her car.

In the spring of 2017, she dug the Maltese part of the journalistic investigation into the Panama Papers and sparked revelations about scandals involving several close relatives of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.

The journalist found evidence that Panamanian companies owned by then-energy minister Konrad Mizzi and Joseph Muscat's chief of staff, Keith Schembri, had received about 2 million euros from a company. from Dubai, 17 Black, for unspecified services.

This attack, almost unheard of in a country of the European Union, has caused outrage in Europe and beyond.

- Events -

On October 16, Muscat, referring to his "biggest opponent", promises to find his killers.

On October 21, the government promises a million euros reward for any information to advance the investigation.

The next day, at the call of civil society organizations, thousands of Maltese take to the streets. They demand the departure of the Chief of Police and the Minister of Justice.

- Three indictments -

On 4 December 2017, the Labor Prime Minister announces the arrest of ten people.

Three men with already criminal records - brothers Alfred and George Degiorgio and Vince Muscat - are indicted the next day, suspected of involvement in a criminal organization and for making the bomb. They plead not guilty.

- "Daphne Project" -

In April 2018, 18 international media that took over the journalist's investigation of corruption in Malta as part of the "Daphne Project" published their findings, which confirmed some of her suspicions.

The Minister of the Economy, Christian Cardona, is implicated, especially for his supposed relations with one of the assassins.

- New investigation -

On September 20, 2019, the government appoints a retired judge, Michael Mallia, to lead an independent investigation into the journalist's death, before the expiry of a Council of Europe notice requiring such a procedure. .

- Immunity -

On November 20, a businessman, Yorgen Fenech, owner of the Black Company, was arrested on his yacht off Malta while attempting to flee.

He is officially considered a person with information on the case. Some media and the journalist's family present him quickly as a possible sponsor of the murder.

His arrest comes after a promise of immunity given by the head of government to an intermediary in exchange for information on the case.

On the 23rd, Yorgen Fenech asks for judicial immunity, saying he is ready to reveal "everything he knows".

- Resignations -

On 26 November, Mr Muscat's chief of staff, Keith Schembri, who was mentioned in the investigation as having received bribes from Yorgen Fenech, resigned. He is summoned by the police.

Konrad Mizzi, now Minister of Tourism and also implicated by Daphne Caruana, also resigns. The Minister of the Economy, Chris Cardona, implicated by the "Daphne project", decides for his part to "put in reserve during the duration of investigations".

On the night of 28-29, after an emergency meeting of his government of more than six hours, Joseph Muscat announced that Yorgen Fenech will not benefit from the requested immunity.

According to police sources, Mr. Fenech has designated as the true "sponsor" of the murder Keith Schembri. The latter is however released.

These announcements arouse the indignation of the opposition, the Caruana Galizia family and civic movements that demand the departure of the Prime Minister.

© 2019 AFP