Investigators last year requested mobile data belonging to former police chief Lawrence Cutajar, a court heard on Monday.

These details emerged as the compilation of evidence against Yorgen Fenech, who stands charged with masterminding the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia, continued.

A court had ordered an informal investigation after it had emerged that Cutajar had met with Edwin Brincat ‘il-Gojja’ – a close associate of pardoned middleman Melvin Theuma.

It is believed that Brincat was the one who convinced Theuma to start recording his conversations with the 17 Black owner.

Twenty-one witnesses testified in Monday’s sitting, including representatives from Epic and Melita. The telecoms companies, they said, had received requests for mobile phone data from Superintendent Keith Arnaud. 

The data requested was for Cutajar and Brincat’s personal phone numbers.

The witnesses were asked to provide further information, including how long the numbers had been active and whether the two had any other numbers registered on their names.

The court also heard a number of first responders describe the scene of the murder.

More harrowing details emerged, including how the first police officers at the scene did not have sufficient fire-fighting equipment to put out the blaze and how doctors hoping to save lives could do nothing but cover up body parts using sheets.

A number of Armed Forces of Malta soldiers said they had been tasked with combing through the site in search of evidence. Any evidence found was handed over to forensics officers.

The compilation of evidence continues on Thursday.