The Criminal Court has sharply criticised a note filed by businessman Yorgen Fenech, describing it as "borderline intimidation" after he accused the court of bias and claimed his right to a fair trial was being undermined.

Fenech, accused of complicity in the 2017 car bomb assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, submitted the note through his lawyers following the court's refusal to grant several defence requests to summon more witnesses and present additional evidence.

Judge Edwina Grima said most of these requests appeared intended to stall proceedings, noting that the note's tone was "almost intimidating" toward the court. Prosecutors were formally notified of its contents.

In his filing, Fenech argued that the "equality of arms" between prosecution and defence was not being respected, warning that the imbalance could breach his constitutional right to a fair hearing.

The court stressed that the trial would proceed as scheduled unless the Constitutional Court decided otherwise, warning that no "veiled pressure" or attempts to influence its work would be tolerated.

Fenech's legal team, Charles Mercieca and Gianluca Caruana Curran, have indicated plans to initiate a separate constitutional case alleging violations of their client's fundamental rights.

The high-profile case centres on Fenech's alleged role in financing and masterminding the plot that killed Caruana Galizia outside her Bidnija home in October 2017.

Brothers George and Alfred Degiorgio have admitted to planting and detonating the bomb, each receiving 40-year prison sentences. Vince Muscat, known as il-Koħħu, was sentenced to 15 years after a plea bargain and later testified for the prosecution. Earlier this year, Robert Agius and Jamie Vella were convicted of supplying the explosive.

The prosecution is led by Attorney General lawyers Anthony Vella, Godwin Cini, and Danika Vella. Lawyers Jason Azzopardi and Therese Comodini Cachia represent the Caruana Galizia family.