Property consultant Peter Barteth provided detailed testimony on Thursday about a complex series of property negotiations involving Carmel Chircop and several other individuals related to a warehouse in Qormi.

He was testifying in the trial by jury of the four men accused of murdering lawyer Carmel Chircop and journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

The accused are Robert and Adrian Agius, known as the 'Tal-Maksar' brothers, Jamie Vella and George Degiorgio.

Vella and Robert Agius are accused of complicity in the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia by supplying the bomb that killed her in October 2017. Adrian Agius is charged with commissioning the murder of lawyer Carmel Chircop in 2015. Jamie Vella and George Degiorgio are accused with executing Chircop's murder  They all deny the charges.

Under questioning from the prosecution, Barteth confirmed that he had worked as a property consultant since 2015, a role he held for approximately eight years. He explained that in 2012, two brothers, the Bonnicis, approached him to assist in selling a warehouse they owned in Ħal Qormi. Their request was for him to identify potential buyers.

Barteth described how Carmel Chircop had been searching for a property with his help, and he showed him the Ħal Qormi warehouse. Upon visiting the site, Chircop was reportedly very interested. "He liked it immediately," Barteth said in court.

When asked who was present during the initial viewing, Barteth identified a man he believed was named Ray, whom he described as Chircop's partner. Ray, according to Barteth, was also at the viewing and participated in early discussions.

A preliminary agreement was later drafted between Ray and Carmel Chircop to proceed with the purchase. Barteth explained that Ray was particularly interested in the property due to its potential for a large refrigerated space. When asked about Chircop's interest, Barteth said he did not know, only stating that the two were business partners.

However, issues with the planning authority soon arose, which led Ray to withdraw from the deal. Despite this setback, Chircop insisted on moving forward. "Carmel told me that until these issues were resolved, he would put down a deposit," Barteth explained.

At a later stage, Barteth received a call from a real estate agent named Charlene, who mentioned she had a client looking for a large warehouse. Barteth recommended the Ħal Qormi warehouse, and Charlene introduced him to a man named Adrian, who came to view the property.

When asked who was present during this viewing, Barteth named himself, Adrian, another unnamed partner, several individuals from the company Adrian represented, and Chircop.

Ultimately, Barteth stated, the Ħal Qormi warehouse was sold to Erom Company, a firm co-owned by Ryan Schembri and two other individuals. He added that he was never provided with a copy of the agreement.

During his testimony, Barteth revealed that Chircop later confided in him about Ryan Schembri's sudden disappearance. "Carmel told me that Ryan Schembri had vanished," Barteth said. He learned of this through Adrian Agius, who was also involved in the transaction.

"Adrian told me they had a big problem. They didn't know where Ryan was," Barteth recalled.

Barteth explained that Adrian Agius had been depending on Schembri for the financial backing necessary to complete the purchase of the warehouse. Schembri, a co-owner of Erom Company, was believed to be the primary source of the capital for the deal.

Following Schembri's disappearance, Chircop expressed deep regret over his involvement in the transaction. "He felt guilty for what happened, even though it wasn't his fault," Barteth stated. "He regretted getting into the deal."

When asked if he recognized anyone in the courtroom, Barteth identified Adrian Agius.

Defence lawyer Rene Darmanin asks Barteth whether he agreed that Agius had never tried to mislead him.

Barteth replies: "Adrian Agius always gave me clear information," adding that in his personal experience, "I never had a problem with him."

Defence lawyer Nicholas Mifsud then questions Barteth directly about his relationship with Schembri.

Barteth: "When it came to Schembri, he seemed like he never wanted me present in any deals," he said, clarifying that he never had a close working relationship with him.

Mifsud then asks Barteth whether any money was transferred from Schembri himself.

Barteth replied that funds were transferred not by Schembri personally, but by Irom Company, the entity co-owned by Schembri, to Carmel Chircop.

No other defence lawyers pose additional questions, and the jury also declines to seek clarification, marking the end of Barteth's session on the stand.

Another witness, notary Malcolm Mangion, testified that a €750,000 transaction between Irom Company and lawyer Carmel Chircop had been formalised.

Mangion, a practicing notary since 2005, was presented with a document by the prosecution concerning the substantial payment from Irom, the company co-owned by Ryan Schembri, to Chircop.

When questioned about his knowledge of the transaction beyond the document, Mangion explained that the payment was part of a bilateral agreement made between the two parties.

During questioning, Mangoin acknowledged that he could confirm payment amounts as well as dates, but was not aware of finer details.

Mangion, when asked, also confirmed that Adrian Agius had not guaranteed the promissory notes that were involved in the agreement. The Notary also said that he does not know what happened to the promissory notes, when asked.

He also said that mortgage-type securities as well as the guarantees attributed to Agius remained in place, even after Chircop's death.