Two former Maltese officials face criminal charges over their connections to 17 Black, a company owned by casino magnate Yorgen Fenech, who stands accused of orchestrating journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia's murder.

Magistrate Charmaine Galea has recommended prosecuting Keith Schembri, former chief aide to the prime minister, and Konrad Mizzi, former energy minister, following an extensive investigation.

The case centers around revelations from the Panama Papers, which showed that 17 Black planned to transfer US$2 million to offshore companies owned by Schembri and Mizzi. Caruana Galizia was investigating these connections when she was killed by a car bomb in October 2017.

Fenech, who owned the Qawra Oracle Casino and Portomaso Casino through his Tumas Group, was arrested in 2019 while attempting to flee Malta. The arrest came after Melvin Theuma, the alleged middleman, agreed to testify in exchange for immunity. Theuma claimed Fenech orchestrated the murder, hiring the Degiorgio brothers to plant the bomb.

Prosecutors believe Fenech ordered the killing to prevent Caruana Galizia from exposing corruption in a $500 million energy contract awarded to his company, Electrogas. Fenech denies these allegations and claims Schembri was behind the plot.

While Schembri and Mizzi were previously cleared of direct involvement in the murder, they face separate charges of bribery, criminal association, and money laundering related to government health contracts. The scandal led to widespread protests and the resignation of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat's government in 2019.

Fenech remains in custody awaiting trial for his alleged role in the murder.

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