Malta: Civil society groups confirm protest in Valletta January 5 /update 10

Event

Several civil society opposition groups have announced that a protest scheduled in Valletta on Sunday, January 5, will begin at 15:00 (local time). Participants plan to gather outside the parliament building.

A heightened security presence and localized transportation disruptions are expected near the protest site. Further related demonstrations are anticipated in the coming days and weeks.

Context

Thousands of people have participated in demonstrations in Valletta since November 26, to demand political change and the resignation of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and other senior government officials for their perceived complicity in the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in October 2017. Galizia is believed to have been assassinated 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, 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.