Maltese multi-millionaire Yorgen Fenech has been charged with complicity in the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.
The 38-year-old has been remanded to custody after pleading not guilty to the charges at a Valletta court.
This marks a breakthrough in the investigation into the murder of Galizia in a car bombing.
Fenech's alleged ties to ministers and senior officials has left with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat with no choice but to announce his resignation.
The PM's chief aide, Keith Schembri, and tourism minister Konrad Mizzi have already stepped down, while economy minister Chris Cardona took the decision to suspend himself.
Eight months before her death, Galizia aimed to expose that Schembri and Mizzi owned secret companies in Panama.


US war in Iran has cost $29 billion so far, Pentagon says
At Temple of Heaven summit, Trump and Xi will seek a good harvest
Peace deal hopes fade after Trump rejects Iran proposal
Protests erupt after key college entrance test cancelled in India
UK's Starmer defies calls to quit, says he is getting on with governing
New Israeli law sets military tribunal for those linked to October 7 attack
Russia strikes Ukraine with drones as ceasefire ends
Dutch hospital quarantines 12 over breach of hantavirus protocol
