Malta businessman held on yacht in journalist murder probe – [IMAGES]

(FASTNEWS | COLOMBO) – A Maltese businessman has been arrested as part of the investigation into the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia two years ago.

Yorgen Fenech was detained by armed officers after his yacht was intercepted and searched.

It comes a day after PM Joseph Muscat said he would consider a pardon for the alleged middleman in the case.

Caruana Galizia, an anti-corruption blogger, was killed by a car bomb near her home in October 2017.

Malta’s handling of the case has drawn international criticism.

On Wednesday, several hundred people protested outside parliament in Valetta demanding the resignation of the prime minister.

Demonstrators trapped one minister in his car, banging on the roof as police officers struggled to move them back.

Mr Muscat referred to Mr Fenech as “a person of interest” in the case when addressing local media. A government source later confirmed to the BBC that Mr Fenech was arrested in connection with the ongoing investigation.

“The fact that the country’s institutions were given the resources to carry out this operation – a major operation, to ensure no-one fled the country or tried to flee the country – shows the government’s resolve and mine,” the prime minister said. “We are leaving no stone unturned.”

Witnesses quoted by the Times of Malta said Mr Fenech’s luxury yacht was intercepted by an armed patrol boat as it left the port of Portomaso, north of Valletta, early on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Mr Muscat said the alleged money launderer suspected of being the middleman would first have to give evidence in court before a pardon could be issued.

“I gave a mandate to the attorney general to negotiate with the person’s lawyers to take an unprecedented step,” the prime minister was quoted as saying.

“If the person collaborates and the information provided is sufficient to prosecute the mastermind of this crime, they will receive a presidential pardon.”

Who is Yorgen Fenech?

Mr Fenech was head of the Tumas Group and a director of energy generating company Electrogas, but had recently resigned from both positions, according to documents made public on Wednesday.

He was also identified by Malta’s Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU) as being the owner of a Dubai-registered company called 17 Black. (BBC Reports)