Malta:  Investigative Journalist Killed in Car Bomb

TRIPwire, 17 October 2017, 0730
On 16 October 2017, an investigative journalist who was openly critical of Maltese government officials was killed when an explosive device detonated in her car as she travelled near the village of Bidnija. Local media reported that two weeks prior to the bombing, the victim filed a complaint to police, claiming that she received threats. The Maltese Prime Minister, who faced accusations of corruption by the journalist, denounced the attack and stated that the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was assisting with the investigation. The victim’s family requested a different magistrate be assigned to the investigation because of an alleged conflict of interest, involving previous libel charges being filed against the journalist by the magistrate. An investigation is ongoing.