A Maltese Christian who was prosecuted in what is believed to be the first international case of its kind, has been found not guilty of allegedly “advertising conversion practices”.
Matthew Grech was cleared on Wednesday at the Magistrates’ Court in Valletta after more than three years since he was charged.
Two journalists who were prosecuted in connection with the case were also acquitted, in what supporters have described as a significant moment for freedom of speech and freedom of the press.
Grech was facing up to five months in prison after a 2022 interview on PMnews Malta in which he shared his testimony of becoming a Christian, and voluntarily leaving behind what he described as a homosexual lifestyle.
In 2016, Malta became the first country in the European Union to ban conversion therapy under the Affirmation of Sexual Orientation, Gender and Gender Expression Act. The legislation has since been cited as a blueprint for similar proposals in countries including the UK and Australia.
Prosecutors claimed that because Grech was introduced in the interview as a representative of the International Foundation for Therapeutic and Counselling Choice (IFTCC), he had “advertised conversion practices”.
The Christian Legal Centre, which backed Grech, argued the interview amounted to personal religious testimony, not the promotion of therapy, and said the prosecution violated his rights to freedom of expression.
In a statement delivered outside court, Grech thanked “God that justice has prevailed”.
He said: “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.
“For three long years, my life has been turned completely upside down, not for harming anyone, not for inciting hatred, not for breaking the law, but for sharing my personal testimony of hope and renewal on a podcast.”
Grech said the ruling reaffirmed “a fundamental principle: speaking about one’s lived experience, including the transforming power of Christ, is not a crime.”
“Truth does not become illegal because, to some, it is unpopular,” he added. “Today, freedom has won.”
Dr Mike Davidson, chairman of the IFTCC, said the organisation was relieved at the verdict.
“At its heart was a simple but vital principle - that individuals must be free to speak about their own lived experience without fear of criminal sanction. We remain committed to upholding professional standards, lawful dialogue, and careful engagement on matters that are often deeply personal and complex.”
Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, described the acquittal as “a clear and decisive victory”.
“After years of pressure, the attempt to criminalise him has collapsed because the prosecution could never coherently define what ‘conversion therapy’ even means,” she said.
“Today’s acquittal sends an unmistakable message: attempts to criminalise Christian teaching and testimony will not stand,” she added.