Prime Minister Robert Abela has rejected claims that his decision to call an early general election was linked to the trial by jury of businessman Yorgen Fenech over the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.According to a report by Times of Malta, Abela said the trial “absolutely never” influenced his decision to dissolve Parliament and call a snap election in May, nine months before his government’s term was due to end.Throughout the election campaign, Abela maintained that the timing of the election was driven by the “extraordinary international situation” and wider geopolitical developments.Asked whether the election had been called before the start of Fenech’s trial, which began on Wednesday, the Prime Minister insisted it “was absolutely never a criterion” he considered.“I’ve already said that the national interest dictated that that was the right moment to call an election,” Abela said, adding that the government had been focused on responding to geopolitical challenges.When pressed further, he said the trial “never crossed my mind”, insisting there was “no connection” between his government and the proceedings.Fenech has pleaded not guilty to charges alleging he masterminded the 2017 assassination of Caruana Galizia. His trial by jury began on 1st July, almost seven years after his arrest.What do you make of Abela’s claims?•