Officials in Malta resign amid investigation into journalist’s killing

Officials in Malta, including the top aide to the prime minister, have resigned amid an investigation into a journalist’s 2017 slaying, Reuters reported Tuesday.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat of the European island told reporters that his chief of staff Keith Schembri resigned Tuesday. Police then questioned Schembri for the 2017 homicide of investigative reporter Daphne Caruana Galizia and searched his house during the day, according to Reuters. 

Schembri was not the only official to step aside as the investigation unfolds. Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi also resigned and Economy Minister Christian Cardona announced he would suspend himself from his duties until the end of the investigation. Mizzi and Cardona have denied being intertwined with Caruana Galizia’s death, and Cardona was reportedly questioned Saturday.

Calls for both Schembri and Mizzi to resign had erupted when businessman Yorgen Fenech was detained as a person of interest last week. The two officials have economic ties to Fenech, according to Reuters.

Some have requested the prime minister resign amid the controversy after he had defended Schembri when corruption allegations emerged years ago. Muscat told Reuters he does not plan to step down.

“My role right now is to ensure the country has stable leadership,” he said. “My role is to make sure we navigate through this turbulent time.”

Police were planning to charge Fenech on Tuesday before he started giving information on the investigation that would “bring the house down,” according to a person briefed on the investigation. 

Schembri, Fenech and their lawyers were not immediately available to comment to Reuters. 

The man accused of mediating the death by car bomb, Melvin Theuma, was granted a presidential pardon Monday in exchange for evidence to be used in trial. 

Caruana Galizia investigated members of the Muscat government, including Schembri and Mizzi, who both threatened to sue her for libel six months before her death, according to Reuters.