by Carys Moseley, Christian Concern
Public Policy Researcher Dr Carys Moseley explains the widespread implications of the acquittal of ex-gay Christian Matthew Grech
This Wednesday 4 March 2026, ex-gay Christian man Matthew Grech was acquitted by the Malta Magistrates Court of advertising conversion practices on Maltese television. Journalists Mario Camilleri and Rita Bonnici were also acquitted. Matthew Grech was assisted by Maltese lawyer Jeanise Dalli and the Christian Legal Centre.
The ruling has implications not only for the implementation of the Maltese law banning conversion practices, passed in 2016, but for similar laws passed in other countries since then.
Pan-European targeting by the Malta Gay Rights Movement
Activists from the Malta Gay Rights Movement (MGRM) filed reports with the Maltese police about an interview Matthew Grech did on PM News, a private Maltese television channel, less than a month after it was broadcast on 6 April 2022. The three activists were Silvan Agius, Christian Attard and Cynthia Chircop.
Silvan Agius was an expert in the cabinet of Helena Dalli, the European Commissioner for Equality. Christian Attard was and still is a lawyer in the European Commission. Cynthia Chircop was at the time co-leader of the MGRM. It is evident that the case was brought to create a precedent across the European Union.