Malta Police Release 'Person Of Interest' In Journalist's Murder Case On Bail - Reports

MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 22nd November, 2019) Malta's police released on bail businessman Yorhen Fenech, who has been indicated as a "person of interest" in the case of the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was behind the so-called Panama papers investigation that led to a large corruption scandal, media reported.

Malta Today reported late on Thursday, citing sources, that Fenech was released after police interrogated him for 40 hours, was transported to his home and was under strict police supervision. Moreover, the police had held a search on Fenech's yacht in the presence of the businessman late on Thursday.

According to the outlet, the interrogation is expected to resume on Friday with the renewal of the businessman's arrest.

The arrest followed a promise voiced by Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat to recommend a pardon for a suspect in the case depending on the value of information on the assassination that he provided to police.

However, Muscat had said Fenech's arrest was not linked to the information given by the suspect, the outlet noted.

Caruana Galizia was killed in October 2017 when her car exploded. The journalist was known for her investigations into various cases of corruption in Malta based on the so-called Panama Papers, thousands of leaked files from Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca, which have revealed illegal finance practices of officials and public figures from various countries.