Can I be prosecuted in Malta for something I posted online while abroad?

Jurisdiction over online conduct affecting someone in Malta can, in certain circumstances, extend beyond Malta's physical borders, since where the harmful effect of the conduct, such as defamation or harassment, was actually felt or where the victim is based can be relevant to establishing jurisdiction under Maltese law, alongside general principles governing when Maltese courts can assert jurisdiction over offences with a cross-border element, particularly where online content was accessible to and viewed by people in Malta. Whether the specific conduct you describe actually meets the threshold for a criminal offence under the Criminal Code, Chapter 9 of the Laws of Malta, such as harassment or defamation-related provisions, and whether Maltese authorities would genuinely have practical and legal jurisdiction to pursue the matter against someone based abroad, are both complex questions that depend heavily on the specific content, platform, and your actual location and nationality. Given the cross-border complexity and the potential seriousness of a criminal allegation, this is a matter where getting proper legal advice, ideally from a lawyer familiar with both the Maltese legal position and any relevant considerations in your own country, would be important before responding to any contact from Maltese authorities.