Malta: Civil society groups schedule another protest in Valletta December 8 /update 5

Event

Civil society groups are planning a protest in Valletta on Sunday, December 8, to demand a police investigation into several senior government officials and their associates, including Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, for their supposed complicity in the 2017 assassination of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. Participants plan to gather at 16:00 (local time), although organizers have not yet announced a meeting location as of Thursday, December 5.

A heightened security presence and localized transportation disruptions are expected near the protest site. Further protests are possible in the coming days.

Context

Several thousand people have demonstrated in Valletta since November 26 to demand political change and the resignation of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and other senior government. Galizia was murdered in October 2017 due to her reporting on government corruption in Malta. A police investigation into her murder has led to the resignation of several government officials and prompted widespread protests.

On December 1, Prime Minister Muscat announced that he will resign as leader of the Labour Party on Sunday, January 12, 2020, and resign as prime minister in the days following. However, several opposition activists have called for the prime minister's immediate resignation.

Advice

Individuals in Malta, particularly in Valletta, are advised to monitor developments, avoid all protests and demonstrations, prepare for transportation disruptions around protest sites, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.