A Christian in the tiny Mediterranean nation of Malta has been found not guilty of allegedly “advertising conversion practices” in a landmark verdict for what’s believed to be the first international case of its kind.

Matthew Grech was cleared this week after a trial lasting more than three years and 17 court appearances since he was charged.

Two journalists who were prosecuted in connection with his case were also acquitted.

Mr. Grech’s supporters have described the verdict as a significant moment for freedom of speech and freedom of the press.

MAJOR LEGAL TEST FOR ‘CONVERSION LAWS’

He 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 Australia and the UK.

THE ARGUMENTS PUT FORWARD IN THE CASE

Prosecutors claimed that because Matthew 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 UK-based Christian Legal Centre which supported Mr. 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, Mr. Grech thanked “God that justice has prevailed”.

“I WAS ONLY GUILTY OF OPENLY SPEAKING ABOUT MY CHRISTIAN JOURNEY”

“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.”

“FREEDOM HAS WON. TRUTH IS NOT ILLEGAL BECAUSE IT IS UNPOPULAR”

Matthew 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.”

In the interview he defended the freedom of anyone to seek help with their unwanted sexual desires and behaviours.

“INDIVIDUALS MUST BE FREE TO SPEAK ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES WITHOUT FEAR”

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.”

“CONVERSION IS A POLITICALLY-LOADED TERM WITH NO GROUNDING IN FACT”

Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, described the acquittal as “a clear and decisive victory for Christian freedom and free speech across the world.”

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

“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.”

“ATTEMPTS TO CRIMINALISE CHRISTIAN TESTIMONY WILL NOT STAND”

“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.”

“Today’s acquittal sends an unmistakable message: Attempts to criminalise Christian teaching and testimony will not stand.”

INTERNATIONAL IMPACT OF THE VERDICT

Faith advocates Christian Concern says the law in Malta has been held up internationally by campaigners as a shining example of how laws against so-called conversion practices should be implemented.

It believes the failed, politically-motivated prosecution will send the message worldwide that these bans are not desirable or straightforward to implement.

The Christian group points out that Matthew Grech and the journalists had been dragged through three years of legal uncertainty and Maltese journalists had stopped covering the issue for fear of prosecution.

It asserted that organisations like IFTCC, which Matthew Grech mentioned in the interview, provide responsible, evidence-backed support for people who want to live as the man or woman that God made them to be.

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