The killing of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia sent shockwaves across Europe a day after her car exploded near her home, prompting the European Commission to condemn it in the "strongest possible terms" on Tuesday.

"We are horrified by the fact that the well-known and respected journalist Mrs. Daphne Caruana Galizia lost her life yesterday in what was seemingly a targeted attack," said Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas.

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"The right of a journalist to investigate, ask uncomfortable questions and report effectively is at the heart of our values and needs to be guaranteed at all times. We trust now that justice will be brought even if this will not be enough to right this wrong."

Caruana Galizia wrote extensively on corruption within the Maltese government. Her writing in the wake of the massive document leak commonly referred to as the Panama Papers forced an early elections in the EU country after it implicated two Maltese cabinet members.

'Crooks and imbeciles'

A known government critic, Caruana Galizia frequently accused Prime Minister Joseph Muscat of turning the island-nation into a "mafia island" by creating a culture of impunity. Hours after the car bombing, Muscat condemned the "barbaric act" perpetrated against the investigative journalist and called for a thorough investigation.

However, her son, Matthew Caruana Galizia, said on Tuesday that Muscat was complicit in the assassination of his mother.

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"It is of little comfort for the prime minister of this country to say that he will 'not rest' until the perpetrators are found, when he heads a government that encouraged that same impunity," Matthew said in a post on Facebook.

"First he filled his office with crooks, then he filled the police with crooks and imbeciles, then he filled the courts with crooks and incompetents. If the institutions were already working, there would be no assassination to investigate – and my brothers and I would still have a mother."

Maltese citizens gathered together on Tuesday evening for a a vigil Tuesday in honor of the slain investigative journalist.

Daphne Caruana Galizia worked tirelessly to expose corruption in the government, according to her colleagues and family members. Her son believes Malta's premier is complicit in her assassination.

'Dark day for Maltese democracy'

While Caruana Galizia is the fourth person to die in a Malta car bombing in just over a year, hers was the only one to shock the Maltese public given her record as an outspoken government critic and journalist.

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Press freedom groups have called on Maltese authorities to conduct an in-depth investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice. Staff at the International Federation of Journalists held signs calling for "justice for Daphne".

"Reporters Without Borders urges the Maltese authorities to shed all possible lighter on her murder and to identify those responsible," the press freedom group said in a statement. "This is a dark day for Maltese democracy, freedom of expression and journalism."

Malta ranked 47 out of 180 countries on Reporters Without Borders 2017 World Press Freedom Index.

Press freedom ranking 2017: From Norway to North Korea The leader: Norway Nowhere in the world can journalists work as freely as in Norway, the "Reporters Without Borders" report says. It ranks number one among 180 countries. That has to do with the diversity of the media: Norwegians have some 200 newspapers to choose from. Government agencies' duty to disclose data and state subsidizing of media institutions also contribute to Norway's high marks in press freedom.

Press freedom ranking 2017: From Norway to North Korea Picking up the rear: North Korea North Korea is at the bottom of the list of 180 countries. Journalists must adhere to a strict "information policy," which exults the superiority of former leader Kim Jong-il's legacy and of his son, Kim Jong-un. Televisions and radios can only pick up state broadcasters, meaning that the media is completely isolated. Those who criticize the system must reckon with draconian measures.

Press freedom ranking 2017: From Norway to North Korea Mid-field: The United States The US ranks 43rd - two spots down from the previous year. Widespread NSA surveillance during former President Barack Obama's administration is one reason for the drop. Improvement, however, remains at bay: Various law suits and public broadsides on the part of his successor, Donald Trump, against journalists and the freewheeling handling of "alternative facts" are alarming press representatives.

Press freedom ranking 2017: From Norway to North Korea Upward climber: Italy Italy has moved up 25 notches - to spot 52 - as compared to 2016. As the grip of Silvio Berlusconi's media empire on politics weakens, journalists can now work more freely. Still, organized crime continues to have a marked impact. Six journalists remain under police protection due to mafia death threats.

Press freedom ranking 2017: From Norway to North Korea Relegated spot: Nicaragua The 2016 re-election and ensuing fourth term of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega mean one thing for government critics: harassment and repression. Ortega and his family control the judiciary and the television market. Nicaragua made the biggest drop in the press freedom ranking for last year, moving down 17 notches to spot 92.

Press freedom ranking 2017: From Norway to North Korea Still the same: Germany Press freedom is highly regarded in Germany, with the country keeping its spot at 16 - the same as the previous year. But there is still cause for concern: Especially during right-wing demonstrations, violent attacks and threats toward journalists have increased. According to a study by conflict researcher Andreas Zick, more and more journalists exercise self-censorship as they work. Author: Max Hunger (als)



ls/se (dpa, AFP)