Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/888285
maltatoday WEDNESDAY 18 OCTOBER 2017 News YANNICK PACE THE European Commission yesterday expressed its 'hor- ror' at the killing of Daphne Caruana Galizia in a car bombing on Monday, while condemning the "targeted at- tack" against a member of the press. In a statement on behalf of commission president Jean- Claude Juncker, a spokesman for the commission praised Caruana Galizia, describing her as a pioneer of investiga- tive journalism in Malta. "We are horrified by the fact that the well-known and respected Maltese journalist Mrs Daphne Caruana Galizia lost her life yesterday in what was seemingly a targeted at- tack," said the commission. It said her ability to trigger debate was a testament to the success of her reporting and her dedication to the pursuit of truth. "President Juncker and the European Commission condemn this attack in the strongest terms possible," said the commission. "The right of journalists to investigate, ask uncomfort- able questions and report effectively is at the heart of our values and needs to be guaranteed at all times. We trust now that justice will be brought even if this will not be enough to right this wrong." The commission expressed its condolences to the Caru- ana Galizia family and the Maltese people. Concerns on deteriorating situation in Malta 'entirely founded' – EPP The European People's Par- ty (EPP) similarly said that the silencing of a journalist through murder represented a "dark day for democracy". "A free nation and full mem- ber of the European Union can and should not allow such shocking events to occur. We ask for a full inquiry," said the EPP in a statement. Moreover, it said that Carua- na Galizia's killing was "trag- ic proof " that the concerns regarding the "deteriorating situation in Malta", which it said it had expressed repeat- edly over the past months, were "entirely founded". The EPP Group said Carua- na Galizia was known inter- nationally for her hard stance against corruption and or- ganised crime. "She was a local journal- ist who revealed the Panama Papers scandal that exposed the Maltese Prime Minister's Chief of Staff and the then Maltese Energy Minister's se- cret companies abroad." The group concluded by insisting that the European Commission take immediate action and to ensure that a "deep and thorough investi- gation" is conducted on the case and that those respon- sible are quickly brought to justice. "We also request an urgent statement by the Commission on intimidation of the press and the protection of media freedom in Malta at the ple- nary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg next week," said EPP Group chairman Manfred Webber at the European Parliament today. 'Everything possible must now be done to find those responsible for this heinous crime' – S&D Group The Socialists and Demo- crats Group said that Carua- na Galizia's murder "caused a wave of emotion and indigna- tion across Europe". "We strongly condemn this barbaric attack and express our condolences to her family and friends. Many members of our group working on the inquiry committee into the Panama Papers had the op- portunity to meet and dis- cuss with Caruana Galizia in Malta," said the S&D Group. "Her unrelenting work as a blogger and an independent journalist to expose corrup- tion was praised by all." As Socialists and Demo- crats, the group said it stood firmly in support of freedom of speech and freedom of the press. "We must do all we can to protect whistle-blowers and journalists working to shine a light on wrongdoing." Labour MEPs 'strongly condemn' attack In a separate statement is- sued in the afternoon, La- bour Party MEPs Alfred Sant, Miriam Dalli and Marlene Mizzi, said they "strongly condemned the brutal killing of Daphne Caruana Galizia". "It's a killing that attacks freedom of speech, a princi- ple that as a nation we have worked hard for, and the free- dom journalists should have to carry out their work with- out fear or favour, a principle that is enshrined in Maltese laws," said the MEPs. They said they expected in- vestigators to be given all the possible resources to bring the criminals involved to justice. "It is for this reason that we welcome the Maltese authori- ties' request for assistance from foreign experts in the investigations," they added. The MEPs said that at a time like this, the nation should remain united in condemn- ing "this criminal behaviour, with the utmost respect to- wards the values of democ- racy and the rule of law". They offered their condo- lences to Caruana Galizia's family. European Commission 'horrified' at targeted attack on Daphne Caruana Galizia Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker