Businessman Yorgen Fenech has formally applied to be granted a presidential pardon to reveal information about Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder, The Malta Independent has learnt.

The application was formally filed on Saturday morning, hours after The Malta Independent reported that the police were mulling the possibility of offering a plea bargaining deal.

His request has been taken to the prime minister, who will be seeking the advice of the police commissioner and the attorney general before making a decision.

Before a presidential pardon is considered, the claims made by any suspect need to be verified and cross-chcked with what the police already know. Other people are questioned to corroborate what a suspect says before any decision is taken on a pardon.

The 17 Black owner was arrested early on Wednesday morning as part of the Daphne Caruana Galizia murder investigation. He was intercepted by the Armed Forces of Malta shortly after he sailed out of the Portomaso marina and was taken to the police headquarters for questioning. 

Fenech was earlier today taken for treatment in hospital after complaining of chest pains, The Malta Independent is informed. He is expected to remain under observation for the next few hours.

This would be the second presidential pardon that is sought in connection with the police investigations.

Last Tuesday, the Prime Minister said that he had signed a letter pledging himself to recommend a presidential pardon to a middleman who said he had vital information with refard to the October 2017 murder. This will only be given, the PM said, if the information provided is corroborated in court.