Yorgen Fenech has categorically denied ordering the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia, using his first testimony in his own defence to point the finger at disgraced former prime minister Joseph Muscat’s chief of staff Keith Schembri.
Taking the witness stand on Friday afternoon, Fenech sought to dismantle pardoned middleman Melvin Theuma’s version of events, while admitting that he passed sensitive information concerning the murder investigation to Theuma at Schembri’s request.
“I never, never, never ordered her assassination,” Fenech told jurors, insisting he had no involvement in commissioning the journalist’s murder.
Fenech claimed his involvement with Theuma following the assassination stemmed from his loyalty to Schembri, whom he described as being like a brother to him.
“I was loyal to Keith because he was my friend and he was there for me,” he testified. “I made such a mistake. I knew I was doing something wrong.”
According to Fenech, shortly after Caruana Galizia was murdered in October 2017, Schembri visited him at home and asked him to pass information to Theuma that police were closing in on the men eventually arrested over the assassination.
Fenech said Schembri told him investigators had evidence concerning the bomb code and burner phones and that the suspects would be arrested on 4 December.
Fenech described passing that information to Theuma as the “biggest mistake of my life”.
He also made a series of allegations concerning payments made to Theuma and the Degiorgio brothers.
Fenech testified that when Theuma asked for a €50,000 loan connected to the Degiorgios, he consulted Schembri, who allegedly told him: “Do me a favour and give him the money.”
He further claimed Schembri had promised money for the Degiorgios’ bail and later reimbursed him by sending €75,000 in cash in a Reebok bag through his driver.
Fenech also claimed Theuma possessed recordings involving Schembri.
He told the court that Theuma had handed him documents and a USB containing recordings, which Schembri subsequently heard. Fenech said Schembri “froze” when told about them and claimed he believes the recordings still exist.
Fenech traced the story back to 2016, claiming Schembri was deeply affected by Caruana Galizia’s reporting and had “almost an obsession” with the journalist. He testified that Theuma later told him that a plan was underway to kill her and that those involved wanted €120,000. Fenech said he was shocked and contacted Schembri about what Theuma had told him.
Fenech also alleged that information concerning police action against Theuma was being leaked.
He claimed Europol had been pressing for Theuma to be raided but that there was resistance from then police commissioner Lawrence Cutajar. Fenech further alleged that Theuma obtained information through Edgar Brincat, who received it from Cutajar.
Addressing Theuma’s central allegation that Fenech commissioned the murder in April 2017, Fenech produced his passport and referred to travel and credit-card records which he said showed he was abroad with his family at the time.
Fenech will continue testifying on Saturday morning. He is being kept in court custody overnight and has been prohibited from communicating with anyone while his testimony remains unfinished.
