65-year-old Marsa resident, Mario Degiorgio, brother of Alfred and George Degiorgio, who are indicted over the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia, was arraigned in court this morning, accused of extortion and money laundering offences.

Police inspector Leanne Bonello, prosecuting, said that the police had investigated the accused and a warrant was issued. On the strength of that warrant, Degiorgio was arrested at his home in Marsa yesterday.

Degiorgio’s lawyers told presiding magistrate Rachel Montebello that there had been no disclosure of evidence to the accused before the statement.

He did not reply to almost any questions during his interrogation, said the inspector. She said she was unable to make follow up questions in view of his lack of cooperation.

Although the police had disclosed their evidence relating to the money laundering charge to the accused before interrogation, the disclosure of evidence on the extortion charges was incomplete, claimed the defence. Inspector Bonello insisted that the evidence in hand at the time had all been disclosed to the accused.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges. The defence’s bail request was objected to by prosecuting lawyer Francesco Refalo. The charges were serious. The accused had been laundering money together with his brothers and third parties who are yet to testify. The accused knew what to expect and could approach witnesses, said the prosecution.

Refalo angrily refused a defence request that he identify the “at least six” civilian witnesses in open court.

Lawyer Lennox Vella argued that the charges related to 2017,18. “These are very old offences.”

The principal witness, Melvin Theuma, is already under police protection and had already testified several times,” said the lawyer, arguing that Degiorgio had no interest in approaching the witnesses.

“I am seeing no risk of tampering with evidence,” submitted the lawyer, citing the presumption of evidence.

The court opted to deny bail, urging the prosecution to summon all witnesses without delay.

During the compilation of evidence against Yorgen Fenech, it had emerged that the self-confessed middleman in the murder, Melvin Theuma, had handed over documents to the police following his arrest.

These documents included receipts handed to Theuma by Mario Degiorgio, brother to Alfred and George Degiorgio, to show the flow of money from Fenech to the Degiorgios.

Johann Cremona, an associate of Fenech’s, had also testified to having been told by Melvin Theuma that Mario Degiorgio had claimed that former minister and deputy leader of the Labour party Chris Cardona was involved in the murder, together with lawyer David Gatt, with whom Cardona once shared an office.

Lawyers Francesco Refalo and Marthese Grech represented the AG in the proceedings.

Lawyers William Cuschieri and Lennox Vella appeared for the defendant.