The trial of Yorgen Fenech, who stands accused of complicity in the murder of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, begins today.

Caruana Galizia was killed in a car bomb attack near her home in Bidnija on 16 October 2017. Five other men who carried out the attack and supplied the bomb have already been jailed over the murder.

Fenech, 44, has pleaded not guilty to two principle charges. The first alleges complicity in the wilful homicide of Caruana Galizia, while the second accuses him of associating with others to commit a crime punishable by imprisonment, namely the journalist's murder.

According to the prosecution, the alleged plot began in April 2017 when Fenech asked close confidante Melvin Theuma to find individuals willing to carry out the assassination.

Theuma was given a presidential pardon to tell all and is the key witness in the trial.

Theuma allegedly approached Alfred Degiorgio, who, together with his brother George Degiorgio and Vincent Muscat, agreed to carry out the killing for €150,000. Prosecutors claim that €30,000 was paid upfront, with the remaining €120,000 to be paid after the murder

The case took a significant turn in November 2019 when middleman Melvin Theuma was granted a presidential pardon in exchange for revealing what he knew about the murder. Days later, Fenech was arrested by the Armed Forces of Malta aboard his yacht as he attempted to leave Malta before dawn.

Fenech remained in preventive custody for more than five years before being granted bail under strict conditions on 24 January 2025. Bail conditions included an €80,000 deposit, a €120,000 personal guarantee, and an additional financial guarantee backed by shares in the Tumas Group provided by a relative.

Over the past several years, the case has gone through extensive pre-trial proceedings, including the compilation of evidence and multiple constitutional challenges filed by the defence. In 2024, the Criminal Court ruled that there was sufficient prima facie evidence for Fenech to stand trial.

The proceedings are expected to be among the most closely watched trials in Malta's recent history, with investigators, forensic experts, police officers and several key witnesses set to testify. There is also interest in the trial from foreign media.

Fenech has consistently denied any involvement in the assassination and maintains his plea of not guilty to all charges.

The prosecution is being led by AG lawyers Godwin Cini, Anthony Vella, and Danika Vella, with Assistant Commissioner Keith Arnaud and Inspector Kurt Zahra. Defence is led by lawyer Charles Mercieca along with Gianluca Caruana Curren. Lawyers Therese Comodini Cachia and Jason Azzopardi are appearing for the Caruana Galizia family. Judge Edwina Grima is presiding over the jury.

16:06 As Judge Edwina Grima is set to read out the bill of indictment shortly, Daphne Caruana Galizia's family are seen entering the court.

15:43 Yorgen Fenech isn't the first person to be charged over the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Vince "Il-Koħħu" Muscat was the first person to be convicted in connection with the murder. In 2021, he admitted to his involvement as one of the hitmen in the murder and was given a 15-year prison sentence.

One year later, brothers Alfred and George Degiorgio admitted to their involvement in the murder on the first day of their trial. They are serving a 40-year prison sentence.

In 2025, Robert Agius and Jamie Vella were sent to life in prison after they were found guilty of supplying the bomb that killed Caruana Galizia. 

15:07 Local newsrooms aren't the only ones interested in what is expected to be the most important trial in recent Maltese history. 

Foreign media outlets such as the BBC and New York Times are present at the Valletta Law Courts, along with foreign media freedom organisations.

15:04 Those who were at court on Wednesday morning might've suspected that something unusual was going on in the building.

The corridors of the courts were "very hot and full of people," as jurors were selected by the prosecution and defence in a process that goes on behind closed doors.

The process got on smoothly except for when a reserve juror needed medical attention after passing out. 

15:00 On 16 October 2017, Daphne Caruana Galizia was killed after a bomb went off in her car while she was driving in Bidnija.

Fenech was arrested almost two years later on 20 November 2019 on his yacht as it was leaving the Portomaso Marina. To this day, Fenech denies all charges against him.

The alleged mastermind was arraigned in court on 1 December 2019. That day, he did not request bail and remained at the Corradino Correctional Facility until February 2025.

14:50 Judge Edwina Grima is expected to read out the bill of indictment before starting her address to jurors at around 4pm.

Earlier this morning, nine members of the jury as well as six reserve jurors were selected at the Valletta Law Courts.

14:45 The trial of Yorgen Fenech, accused of masterminding the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia is officially underway this afternoon.