The alleged hitmen behind the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia were also planning to murder somebody working within the police force at the same time, Vincent Muscat has told a court.

Muscat – one of the three who was accused of carrying out the bombing which killed Caruana Galizia – said in court on Tuesday that during the time in which the murder of the journalist was being planned, another murder was also being planned.

Under cross-examination by Jason Azzopardi, who is the parte-civile lawyer for the Caruana Galizia family, Muscat revealed that the target of the said murder was somebody who worked within the police force.

No names were mentioned by Muscat, but he said that this had something to do with Robert Agius (one of the recently Maksar brothers) and Jamie Vella (one of Maksar’s associates, also under arrest).

Muscat is testifying in the compilation of evidence against Alfred and George Degiorgio on the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia.

He pleaded guilty to his involvement in the murder and is now serving a 15-year prison sentence as a result. 

He was granted a presidential pardon over another murder case – that of lawyer Carmel Chircop – in separate proceedings.

As a result of his plea, Maksar brother Robert and Adrian Agius and their associate Jamie Vella were arrested by police in connection with both the Caruana Galizia murder and the Chircop murder.

Vella and Robert Agius are accused of supply the bomb which ultimately killed Caruana Galizia. They have pleaded not guilty.

Muscat’s full cross-examination from Tuesday can be followed here.