Updated 3.17pm with ministry clarification of Rai report 

Home Affairs Minister Michael Farrugia has been quoted by Rai 3 as having confirmed that investigators are closing in on the suspected masterminds behind the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Dr Farrugia was reported saying that the investigations were still ongoing but that there is concrete evidence linking suspects to the car bomb assassination. 

“We hope that soon those responsible are arrested,” the minister told Italian journalists.

However in a later statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs said that in the phone interview the minister emphasised that only after there is concrete evidence can arrests be made.

"Minister Farrugia confirmed that the police investigation is still ongoing and that Europol is still actively involved in the case," the statement said.

Dr Farrugia was asked about the case after an exclusive report in The Sunday Times of Malta revealed that investigators had identified “more than two” Maltese nationals who they believe masterminded the killing.

Sources within the police force told The Sunday Times of Malta that the individuals had different motives for murdering Ms Caruana Galizia but had come together to contract the three men who stand charged of having planted and triggered the bomb that killed her in October 2017.