The trial by jury of Yorgen Fenech over the assassination of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia resumes on Monday before Judge Edwina Grima, with the prosecution expected to continue leading evidence with the testimony of Assistant Police Commissioner Keith Arnaud.

On Friday and Saturday, Arnaud gave a detailed account of how the investigation evolved following the arrest of Melvin Theuma in November 2019. The jury heard how secret recordings made by Theuma, conversations retrieved from the encrypted messaging app Signal, and data extracted from Yorgen Fenech's mobile phone became central pieces of evidence that significantly advanced the murder investigation.

Fenech, 44, has pleaded not guilty to two principal charges: complicity in the wilful homicide of Daphne Caruana Galizia and criminal association to commit the murder.

Arnaud, the lead investigator in the case, testified for a whole day on Friday, giving an account of the police investions that led to arrests after the journalist was killed in a car bomb on 16 October, 2017.

Five men have already been convicted in connection with Caruana Galizia's assassination. Vince Muscat admitted his role in the murder in 2021 and was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment. Alfred and George Degiorgio each received 40-year prison sentences after pleading guilty in 2022, while Robert Agius and Jamie Vella were sentenced to life imprisonment in 2025 for supplying the bomb used in the attack.

The prosecution is being led by Attorney General lawyers Godwin Cini, Anthony Vella and Danika Vella, assisted by Assistant Commissioner Keith Arnaud and Inspector Kurt Zahra. Fenech is represented by lawyers Charles Mercieca, Gianella Demarco and Gianluca Caruana Curran, while lawyers Therese Comodini Cachia and Jason Azzopardi are appearing parte civile on behalf of the Caruana Galizia family.

Judge Edwina Grima is presiding over the case.

10:20 Arnaud tells the court that as Yorgen Fenech waited at the Portomaso Marina, he messaged "Uncle Ray" to report that "Times (of Malta) are here." Uncle Ray replied that someone had tipped them off. Fenech stated he would look into a 11:30pm flight. When asked who might have informed the media, Fenech replied that "Ivan told me because he was in the newsroom and heard them talking." In response to the judge's inquiry, Arnaud confirmed that Ivan was a journalist. 

10:13 Arnaud testifies that Fenech asked "Uncle Ray" to look after his family, stating, "Only God knows what will become of me." The conversation shifted to finances, with Uncle Ray noting that Franco had plenty of cash. When Uncle Ray suggested using bank cards later, Fenech warned him to be careful, as such transactions could be traced. Uncle Ray confirmed he had spoken to "K" (Keith Schembri), to which Fenech replied, "Keep calm. Nothing is going to happen today." Uncle Ray ended replies: "OK, but don't trust anyone." 

10:07 Arnaud continued reading messages exchanged between Fenech and "Uncle Ray" on November 19, 2019. Fenech noted there were "no flights to Paris". Uncle Ray advised him to "check if the airport is safe" and to "leave through the VIP terminal" if possible. Fenech replied that he did not trust that option and preferred to "go by boat." Uncle Ray then told him to "check with K" - whom Arnaud identified as Keith Schembri - and mentioned that "Simon and Franco will come with you." Later, Fenech asked if Uncle Ray had cash; Uncle Ray replied he had €70,000 "at Diona." Fenech said he did not need it immediately but wanted to ensure his wife was provided for. Finally, Fenech asked Uncle Ray to "keep an eye on my children" and "take care of them," to which Uncle Ray replied, "Be safe." 

10:03 Arnaud continued reading messages exchanged between Yorgen Fenech and "Uncle Ray" on the eve of Fenech's arrest. Uncle Ray warned that another story was expected in the Times of Malta the following day. Fenech replied that he would speak to lawyer Gianella de Marco. Uncle Ray stated he would call her himself and advised Fenech to move to a safe place "while there's still time." Fenech responded by asking if de Marco could come to his house, as he wished to speak with her before leaving. 

9:57am Arnaud further stated that investigators discovered urgent messages from November 19, 2019 - the day before Fenech's arrest - regarding flights from Malta to Nice. These were exchanged with a contact saved as "Pilot of son," who provided several options, including one costing approximately €13,000.

9:49am Arnaud testifies that following Fenech's 2019 arrest, police seized his iPhone and obtained a partial data extraction within 24 hours. A standout conversation was a chat with "Uncle Ray," which began with a link to a Times of Malta article published on November 17, 2019, regarding the prime minister's comments on the murder investigation.

09:40: Attorney General lawyer Godwin Cini asks lead investigator Keith Arnaud to identify various documents and discs presented in the courtroom. Arnaud explained that the collection includes DVDs containing audio and video records of interviews he and Inspector Kurt Zahra conducted with several key individuals. These include multiple sessions with Johann Cremona, a business associate of both Yorgen Fenech and Melvin Theuma; three interviews with Dr. Adrian Vella; and several police interrogation sessions with former chief of staff Keith Schembri. 

09:39: Proceedings have resumed. No explanation has been given in open court.

09:30 Just as the jurors sit down, they are once again sent out of the courtroom. The judge also leaves and is heard saying: "Let me see what happened."

We're not quite sure what is happening but it seems that something happened to one of the jurors.

The parties have now been called into the chambers of Judge Edwina Grima.

09:15 Judge Edwina Grima has just entered the courtroom and jurors are summoned inside as well. Keith Arnaud, the lead investigator and assistant police commissioner, takes the stand.  

09:05 We are live from the courthouse in Valletta to report on day 5 of Yorgen Fenech's trial by jury.