Victory for ex-gay Christian who was prosecuted in Malta over ‘conversion therapy’ comments

An ex-gay Christian accused of “promoting conversion practices” in Malta has been found not guilty. 

It marks the top of a three-year legal battle for Matthew Grech, who’s now calling on Malta to desert its conversion practices laws. 

Speaking outside court, Grech said Christians were once more free to share their testimonies. 

“Christians must be free to share their testimonies, share what God has done of their lives, share their views around sexuality and gender, and share the Word of God freely with out a sense of intimidation, fear [or] bullying,” he said.

He continued, “The Maltese courts have decided for freedom of speech, for freedom of faith, and we’re just really thankful that finally we are able to have a look at a future where we are able to see the restoration of a healthy discussion, a healthy debate around sexuality and gender.

“And the reality is: transformation, change,  is real, it is feasible, and it’s time to bring the discussion to the table again.”

Grech was prosecuted for comments he made during an interview with PMnews Malta, a free speech media platform, in 2022 about his experience of abandoning homosexuality and the effectiveness of therapy for unwanted same-sex attraction. 

Grech, who recently got engaged, first went on trial the next 12 months and had been facing as much as five months in prison and a advantageous of as much as 5,000 euros. 

Final submissions were heard in February 2025 and the decision had been due before the top of the 12 months but it surely was repeatedly postponed. 

Grech attended court to seek out out the decision again last week only to find that the hearing had been postponed over again to 4 March. 

He was finally declared not guilty on Wednesday. 

“It’s a victory! Praise you Jesus!” he said in an update on Instagram.

“Now I call on the Maltese government and the European Commission to revoke the law around ‘conversion practices’. It’s simply a weapon within the hands of activists, and it must go.” 

In an additional statement issued after the decision, Grech said he should never have been prosecuted and that “the law mustn’t ever be weaponised to silence lawful Christian testimony”. 

“It has exposed the danger of loosely worded criminal laws that might be stretched and applied at will. When laws are unclear, they change into tools and tools within the improper hands can change into weapons,” he said. 

“Over these past three years, the method itself became the punishment. I endured emotional strain, reputational damage, financial cost, and constant uncertainty. No one should should live under the burden of criminal charges simply for exercising their right to free speech.

“Today’s decision is just not just a private vindication it’s a reaffirmation of a fundamental principle: speaking about one’s lived experience, including the reworking power of Christ, is just not a criminal offense. That this could occur in Malta with the support of the broader European political network must be a warning to the world.”

So-called conversion therapy has been banned in Malta since 2016. The country’s Affirmation of Sexual Orientation, Gender and Gender Expression Act forbids any treatment, practice or sustained effort that goals to vary, repress or eliminate an individual’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. The ban covers medical, psychological, religious or other interventions geared toward altering someone’s identity or expression.

The two journalists on PMnews who interviewed him were also prosecuted and located not guilty on Wednesday.

Grech was joined outside court by Andrea Williams, CEO of the Christian Legal Centre (CLC) which assisted him in his defence.

“It’s an amazing day for the Gospel and it’s an amazing day to point out that change is feasible and to be free to talk of that change,” she said. 

The CLC said the consequence of the case would have “international ramifications”. 

“What happens in Malta on these issues is of international significance as Malta became the primary country within the European Union to ban what LGBT lobbies describe as ‘conversion therapy’ in 2016,” it said after the decision was handed down.

“A ripple effect has followed with other nations, comparable to the UK and Australia, using the unique Maltese laws as a blueprint for similar bans.” 

Mrs Williams said ‘conversion therapy’ was “an undefined, politically loaded term with no grounding in truth, and it should never have been used to focus on a young man simply for sharing his Christian testimony”.

The CLC called the ‘not guilty’ verdict for the 2 journalists prosecuted with Grech a “win for freedom of the press”. 

“Matthew should never have been dragged through the criminal courts for openly describing his journey to faith, a private, voluntary decision to follow Christ. Even the broadcasters who challenged him robustly in the course of the interview were prosecuted, which showed just how absurd and dangerous this case had change into,” Mrs Williams continued. 
 
“Today’s acquittal sends an unmistakable message: attempts to criminalise Christian teaching and testimony won’t stand. This is a win for Malta, for Europe, and for all who care about free speech and freedom of faith worldwide.”

Dr Mike Davidson, Chairman of the International Federation for Therapeutic and Counselling Choice (IFTCC), welcomed the ruling, saying: “We are relieved that the court has provided clarity on this case. At its heart was an easy but vital principle — that individuals have to be free to discuss their very own lived experience without fear of criminal sanction.

“We remain committed to upholding skilled standards, lawful dialogue, and careful engagement on matters which are often deeply personal and sophisticated.”