Malta PM’s Promise: George Degiorgio Pardon Under ‘Most Serious’ Review Amid National Soul-Searching

**Watch: George Degiorgio pardon to be considered ‘in most serious manner’ – PM**

In a development that has sent ripples through Malta’s tight-knit community, Prime Minister Robert Abela has confirmed that a potential pardon for George Degiorgio – one of the men convicted of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia’s assassination – will be examined “in the most serious manner possible.”

The statement came during a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, where Abela faced mounting pressure to clarify the government’s position on Degiorgio’s request for clemency. Degiorgio, who alongside his brother Alfred and associate Vince Muscat was sentenced to 40 years for his role in the 2017 car bomb murder, is reportedly offering information about other alleged crimes in exchange for a reduced sentence.

“This is not a decision we will take lightly,” Abela told reporters gathered at Castille. “We are fully aware of the gravity of this case and its impact on our nation. Any consideration of a pardon will be evaluated with the utmost care, transparency, and respect for justice.”

The Prime Minister’s cautious approach reflects the extraordinary sensitivity surrounding the case in Malta. Caruana Galizia’s assassination – the first murder of a journalist in Malta’s history – shook the Mediterranean island to its core, triggering unprecedented protests, international condemnation, and a profound reckoning with the country’s democratic institutions.

For many Maltese, the memory of October 16, 2017, remains painfully fresh. The explosion that claimed Caruana Galizia’s life near her Bidnija home didn’t just kill a journalist; it shattered Malta’s self-image as a peaceful, safe haven where such violence was unthinkable. The subsequent investigation exposed deep-rooted corruption and led to the resignation of several high-ranking officials, including Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.

Now, with Degiorgio seeking to trade information for freedom, the nation finds itself at another crossroads. The potential pardon has divided opinion across the islands, from the bustling streets of Valletta to the quiet villages of Gozo.

In cafés and bars where Maltese traditionally gather to discuss politics over pastizzi and Kinnie, the debate is fierce. “How can we even consider letting one of Daphne’s killers walk free?” asks Maria Camilleri, a 67-year-old retiree from Sliema. “What message does that send about justice in our country?”

Yet others argue that if Degiorgio’s information can crack open other major criminal cases, the trade-off might be worth it. “We need to clean house completely,” insists David Pace, a 45-year-old businessman from Birkirkara. “If that means dealing with the devil, so be it.”

The cultural significance of this moment cannot be overstated. Malta’s concept of justice – deeply rooted in Catholic tradition and Mediterranean concepts of honor – is being tested. The possibility that a convicted murderer might walk free, even for valuable information, challenges fundamental beliefs about punishment and redemption that have shaped Maltese society for centuries.

Community leaders are calling for calm deliberation. “This is a time for wisdom, not emotion,” says Rev. Joe Borg, a prominent commentator on Maltese affairs. “We must balance justice for Daphne with the greater good of exposing all those who have corrupted our institutions.”

The government has established a special committee to evaluate Degiorgio’s request, including legal experts and representatives from the Attorney General’s office. They face an unenviable task: weighing the value of potential revelations against the moral and legal implications of showing leniency to a convicted assassin.

As Malta watches and waits, one thing is clear: whatever decision emerges will reverberate through the islands for years to come. It will test not only the justice system but the very soul of a nation still grappling with one of the darkest chapters in its history.

For the Caruana Galizia family, who have become symbols of Malta’s fight for accountability, the wait must be agonizing. Their calls for full justice remain undiminished, even as political realities force uncomfortable compromises onto the table.