Former-gay Christian found not guilty in Malta 'conversion practices' case

A Maltese court has found Christian speaker Matthew Grech not guilty of “advertising conversion practices”, in what is believed to be the first prosecution of its kind worldwide.

The case followed a three-year trial after Grech shared his personal testimony on a podcast.

Grech had been prosecuted after discussing his experience of leaving a gay lifestyle and becoming a Christian, and defending the freedom of individuals to seek help for unwanted sexual desires or behaviours.

The journalists who conducted the interview were also charged but were similarly found not guilty – raising concerns about the effects on journalists reporting on the issue.

Responding to the verdict, Grech said: “Today, I thank God that justice has prevailed.

“From the very beginning, I have been clear that I committed no crime.

“I was never guilty of anything except speaking openly about my own life, about my spiritual journey to becoming a Christian, and the profound difference and freedom that my faith has made in every aspect of who I am.

Andrea Williams, Chief Executive of Christian Concern, who was present in Malta for the ruling, said: “Today’s not-guilty verdict is a clear and decisive victory, not only for Matthew, but for Christian freedom and free speech across the world.

“After years of pressure, the attempt to criminalise him has collapsed because the prosecution could never coherently define what ‘conversion therapy’ even means.

“It is an undefined, politically loaded term with no grounding in fact, and it should never have been used to target a young man simply for sharing his Christian testimony.

“This case has exposed how activists have sought to weaponise the law to silence people like Matthew who express mainstream Christian beliefs about sexuality, marriage, and identity.

“There was never any credible evidence justifying the charges brought against him, only an aggressive campaign to shut down viewpoints that diverge from a prevailing ideology.”

Campaigners have previously pointed to Malta’s law as a model for banning so-called conversion practices internationally.