Man charged over Malta journalist's murder granted bail

He denies the charges.

Three men are serving long prison sentences for planning and carrying out the murder. Caruana Galizia was killed instantly when a bomb planted in her car blew up as she drove away from home in October 2017.

One of Caruana Galizia's sisters was in court as the decree was delivered.

The court ordered Fenech not to go within 50 metres of Malta's coast or airport and to surrender his passport and identity documents.

A probation officer was appointed to supervise him. His aunt, who is his guarantor, was ordered to deposit several hundred thousand euros with the court.

Fenech was also ordered not to communicate with prosecution witnesses, particularly a self-confessed middleman who turned state evidence.

Fenech had seen several previous bail requests denied, as prosecutors said they feared he could flee or tamper with evidence.

Defence lawyers insisted Fenech satisfied all bail prerequisites required by law and that their client had spent five years behind bars while presumed innocent, without ever causing any problems in prison.