Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who worked on the Panama Papers inquiry and published allegations about the use of offshore tax havens by senior political figures on the island, has died in a car bomb explosion
Caruana Galizia alleged Malta’s prime minister, Joseph Muscat, and his wife had used secret offshore bank accounts to hide payments from Azerbaijan's ruling family, a claim which Muscat denied during his recent successful campaign for re-election.
Police have opened a murder inquiry and Malta has asked for international assistance - including from the FBI - with the investigation.
The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) which published the Panama Papers said it was shocked by the news of her death.
In a statement, ICIJ said: ‘ICIJ condemns violence against journalists and is deeply concerned about freedom of the press in Malta.
‘ICIJ calls upon the Maltese authorities to investigate the murder and bring the perpetrators to justice.
‘ICIJ’s thoughts are with the Caruana Galizia family at this time.’
Report by Pat Sweet
