Malta Prosecuted a Christian for Sharing His Testimony. After 3 Years, He Won.
Maltese Christian Matthew Grech found not guilty after three years of prosecution for sharing his testimony about leaving homosexuality during a media interview.
Christian Man Found Not Guilty After Three Year Legal Battle Over Ex Gay Testimony in Malta
Matthew Grech, a 36 year old Maltese Christian, was found not guilty on March 4, 2026, after more than three years of criminal prosecution for simply sharing his personal testimony about leaving homosexuality.
Magistrate Monica Vella ruled that Grech and two journalists from PMnews Malta, Mario Camilleri and Rita Bonnici, were not guilty of violating Malta's Affirmation of Sexual Orientation, Gender and Gender Expression Act. The case is believed to be the first of its kind internationally.
Grech had been charged under Article 3 of the Act for allegedly "advertising conversion practices" after appearing in an April 2022 interview with PMnews Malta. During the interview, he discussed his personal journey of becoming a Christian and leaving behind a homosexual lifestyle. At no point during the programme did Grech invite any listener to attend therapy or encourage anyone to seek help for unwanted same sex attraction.
The charges carried potential penalties of €5,000 (over $5,700) in fines or up to five months in prison. Over the course of the prosecution, Grech appeared in court 17 times.
The Maltese court decided for freedom of religion. I had every right to share my Christian views around sexuality and gender.
Matthew Grech said in a Facebook video following the verdict.
The original complaint was filed by Silvan Agius, an LGBT activist who helped draft the very legislation under which Grech was charged. The Christian Legal Centre supported Grech's defence throughout the proceedings.
Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, called the verdict a victory:
After years of pressure, the attempt to criminalise him has collapsed because the prosecution could never coherently define what conversion therapy even means. Today's acquittal sends an unmistakable message: attempts to criminalise Christian teaching and testimony will not stand.
Malta Court Acquits Matthew Grech in Landmark Conversion Therapy Prosecution
Despite the acquittal, the law remains on the books in Malta. Grech has called on the Maltese government and the European Commission to revoke the legislation, warning that similar bans across Europe could be weaponised against Christians who share their faith and personal testimonies.
It's simply a weapon in the hands of activists, and it needs to go.
Grech said of the law.
The case has drawn international attention as European nations debate proposed bans on so called conversion therapy. Critics argue that such laws, while framed as protections, effectively criminalise the sharing of Christian testimony and biblical teaching on sexuality.
The Crusader's Opinion
Let this sink in. A man shared his own story. His own life. His own testimony of what God did for him. And for that, the state dragged him through court 17 times over three years, threatening him with prison. Not for harming anyone. Not for forcing anything on anyone. For speaking.
This is the new blasphemy law. Not against mocking God, but against testifying for Him. The same activists who demand "tolerance" weaponised the law to silence a man whose very existence contradicts their narrative. They could not let Matthew Grech stand free because a free man with a changed life is the most dangerous thing to their ideology.
Thank God for Magistrate Vella's ruling. But make no mistake: the law is still on the books. And across Europe, governments are lining up to pass the same legislation. Today it is Malta. Tomorrow it could be your country, your church, your testimony.
Take Action
- Support the Christian Legal Centre's ongoing work defending Christians facing legal persecution for their faith across Europe.
- Learn about and oppose proposed "conversion therapy" bans in your country that could criminalise sharing Christian testimony. Contact your representatives and urge them to protect religious freedom.
- Share Matthew Grech's story with your church, small group, and on social media. The more people know, the harder it is for activists to silence believers in the dark.
- Support persecuted Christians worldwide through The Shepherd's Shield and Open Doors.
- Pray for Matthew Grech, for the full repeal of Malta's anti testimony law, and for Christians across Europe who are being targeted for faithfully proclaiming the Gospel.
