Socialist MEP honours Daphne Caruana Galizia in opening of plenary session
Labour Party MEPs form part of the Socialists and Democrats
An S&D MEP on Monday honoured journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in a speech at the European Parliament.
Speaking at the opening of the European Parliament's plenary session in Strasbourg, Italian Sandro Ruotolo referred to Italian journalist Sigfrido Ranucci, who had his car blown up by the mafia on 16 October.
The Socialists and Democrats (S&D) MEP added that this day also marks the eighth anniversary of the assassination of Caruana Galiza.
“There are all kinds of ways of gagging journalists with intimidation, legal and illegal methods. But hitting journalists means striking at the heart of democracy,” he said.
Labour MEPs Alex Agius Saliba, Thomas Bajada, and Daniel Attard all form part of the Socialist and Democrats party.
Nationalist MEP Peter Agius posted a video of Ruotolo giving his speech.
Agius said that while a member of the S&D spoke up, “Maltese socialists keep sweeping away the candles, denying her truth, trying to minimise her legacy”.
This week's plenary session is also expected to hold a debate titled Delayed justice and rule of law backsliding in Malta, eight years after Daphne Caruana Galizia’s assassination on Tuesday. That same day parliament will host the award for the Daphne Caruana Galizia Journalism Prize.