The trial by jury of Yorgen Fenech resumed this morning with further testimony on the extensive digital investigation which enabled investigators to trace the plot leading to the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in October 2017.

One of the men who has been already convicted, Vince Muscat, is the main witness in today's sitting.

After testinomy by lead investigator Keith Arnaud, towards the end of the week the trial shifted away from the forensic evidence gathered at the Bidnija bomb scene and focused instead on the vast digital investigation that followed Galizia's assassination, with the defence mounting an extensive bid to broaden the electronic evidence presented before the jury.

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.

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.

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18:14: That’s all for today, thanks for following.

A write-up on today’s proceedings will be uploaded soon.

18:13: Judge Edwina Grima asks Muscat where the money allegedly referred to by the Degiorgio brothers was coming from.

Muscat replies it was being collected from various people, saying "it was a collection”, and adds that Melvin Theuma had also contributed money.

The exchange marks the final question of the day before Judge Grima adjourns the sitting, with Muscat's testimony set to continue tomorrow at 9am.

18:02: Muscat goes on to recount conversations he says took place with the Degiorgio brothers while they were in prison.

He tells the jury the brothers claimed they had paid €100,000 to a now former judge and also spoke about money allegedly intended for various people to help them secure bail.

Muscat says one of those mentioned was, at the time, a serving judge who was allegedly due to receive money, although he does not identify the individual by name and the prosecution asks no follow-up questions.

He also says that Alfred Degiorgio told him he remained in contact with Melvin Theuma from prison through a burner phone.

17:54: AG lawyer Godwin Cini asks: “Did you ever drive Alfred anywhere else?”

According to Vince Muscat, sometime after the assassination, he drove Alfred Degiorgio to a bar in Siġġiewi to look for former minister Chris Cardona, who was known to frequent the establishment. Degiorgio intented to get information about the 4 December raid and any investigations. “He wasn’t there that day”

He adds that he himself would occasionally go to the bar for a couple of beers because he knew the people there, and confirms he had seen Cardona there on previous occasions.

17:47: Muscat tells the jury on one occasion he drove Alfred Degiorgio to meet a man known as Toni l-Iblaħ, whom he describes as an associate of Chris Cardona.

He says the two men spent around 30 minutes together and both appeared worried when they returned.

"I never asked what it was about, but Alfred told me he was going to meet him again," Muscat testifies.

Speaking to Muscat, Degiorgio remarked that, “we should have received millions for what we did”

Muscat says they were expecting the police to arrive at the potato shed on 4 December.

"We were waiting for the police," he tells the court, adding that they even knew officers were expected to arrive at around 8am.

“I don’t remember how I got to know that information”

He says that despite knowing about the planned raid, he still went to the potato shed because he did not believe he would be arrested.

“I didn't know they were going to arrest me, but, I assumed they might have, but I didn’t think they were going to arraign me I didn’t know what they had on me,” he says.  

Muscat also tells the jury that on the morning of the raid, he left his own car in Msida and travelled to the potato shed with Alfred Degiorgio because he did not want his vehicle to appear in television news footage.

17:35: Vincent Muscat says George Degiorgio was aware police were closing in on him before the Marsa potato shed raid.

He recalls Alfred Degiorgio telling him one morning at the potato shed police were planning to raid the premises and arrest George.

According to Muscat, they learned about the impending operation two or three weeks in advance and used that time to remove items that "might have incriminated us."

Muscat says he asked Alfred Degiorgio what would happen to him if George was arrested, to which Alfred replied that his brother "had done nothing."

From that point onwards, Muscat says he noticed Degiorgio brothers frequently speaking privately among themselves, which made him increasingly suspicious.

Muscat tells the jury Melvin Theuma came to the Marsa potato shed, looking worried, and told Alfred Degiorgio: "The tip you received that the police were coming here on 4 December matches the information I received."

17:29: At this point, Melvin Theuma still owed the group the remaining €120,000.

Vince Muscat says that a few days later, Alfred Degiorgio instructed him to collect the money.

Degiorgio and Muscat drove to Marsaskala, although Muscat says he cannot remember the exact location where the handover took place.

“I took €10,000 from the deposit and €40,000 from the handover,” Muscat says.

17:26: AG lawyer Vince Muscat asks how Melvin Theuma contacted the group after the assassination.

Muscat explains that Alfred Degiorgio had informed him that Theuma had suggested a meeting for a meal at the Valletta Waterfront.

According to Muscat, Degiorgio refused, telling Theuma it was far too soon after the murder to be seen in public. Instead, Degiorgio insisted that Theuma should come to the potato shed.

17:23: Later that day, Vince Muscat went to the potato shed to watch television coverage of the assassination.

He recalls seeing former Opposition Leader Adrian Delia speaking about Daphne Caruana Galizia. Delia was due to deliver his reply to the budget that day, Muscat notes.

“I felt very bad,” Muscat says, describing his reaction to the killing.

He recalls that he had already been listening to news reports on the radio while driving from Mġarr to Rabat and continued following throughout the day.

17:16: “Ċens, the light is on,” Muscat recalls Alfred Degiorgio suddenly remarking, referring to the gate light on the victim’s property which would flash whenever it was opened.

“She left but came back soon after,” Muscat explains. “We thought she wasn’t going out.”

However, a short while later, Daphne Caruana Galizia left her home again.

Muscat says the Degiorgio brothers had previously agreed that Alfred would notify George, who would then trigger the bomb remotely.

“As soon as she started moving downhill, we left. I saw white smoke… We started thinking it hadn’t worked because we didn’t hear an explosion,” Muscat says.

After leaving the area, Muscat switched on his radio and listened to the news.

Vince Muscat then drove to Rabat and stopped at Serkin for pastizzi.

“The pastizzi made me sick… after what had happened,” he says, explaining that he has to cross the road and sit on a bench.

17:11: Vince Muscat and Alfred Degiorgio then went to the latter’s apartment in St Paul’s Bay, where they had coffee before returning to the area at around 5:30am in the white car.

This is the same white car which was spotted by neighbours on the day of the assassination.

Muscat explains they took position inside a roofless room overlooking the area. They waited in that room with an umbrella, a walkie-talkie, a mobile phone, and the car keys.

That morning, Muscat recalls seeing a group of people in the area which he believes may have been scouts. The two crouched down to avoid being seen, and the group passed by without noticing them.

17:03: Vince Muscat tells the jury that he drove the group to the main road beside Caruana Galizia’s residence, after which they proceeded on foot through the surrounding fields to avoid attracting attention from other vehicles.

The men were carrying the bomb and the tools needed to attach the explosive device to the journalist’s car.

“That night, Alfred was the one who planted the bomb in Daphne Caruana Galizia’s car,” Muscat says.

After this, the pair called George Degiorgio so that he would come pick them up.

George Degiorgio headed out on his boat, the Maya, early the following morning. According to prosecutors, this is where the SMS was sent to detonate the bomb and kill the journalist.

16:58: Court is back in session and AG lawyer Godwin Cini asks Vince Muscat what happened after the bomb was transported to Santa Venera on Independence Day.

Muscat says that Alfred Degiorgio and himself left after this.

Then, Degiorgio called him and said that there was a car parked, telling him to “go get that thing and bring it here.”

“I couldn’t say no. When he called, I was about to sit down and eat with the mother of my children. I had to go to the potato shed and get the key, drive to Santa Venera with his car, and then take the shoebox to Naxxar. I couldn’t say no. Imagine the panic I would have caused if I refused,” Muscat says.

Cini then asks about the key for the car the shoebox was in, which Muscat says was in a specific place in the potato shed.

After taking the bomb to Naxxar, Muscat put it in the Naxxar garage and then went to Degiorgio.

“I parked my personal car in Mġarr,” Muscat says. “Then, I went with Alfred in his white car and we kept moving. George was in the car too. He was the one to drop us off.”

16:17: The court will take a short break until 4:30pm

16:16: AG lawyer Godwin Cini (GC) turns to the day of Notte Bianca as well as Independence Day.

“That day, we transported the bomb from the garage in Naxxar to a garage in Santa Venera belonging to a Lawrence Pace,” Vince Muscat (VM) explains.

Before this, Muscat says they went to check if Daphne Caruana Galizia was attending the Notte Bianca celebrations. They did not manage to locate her.

On Independence Day, Muscat and the Degiorgio brothers spotted Caruana Galizia and her husband. The three then followed them in their car and watched them park in a car park close to a hotel in Floriana.

The three then parked nearby and watched Caruana Galizia cross the road.

GC: “How did you know she was going to be there?”

VM: “We just assumed.”

16:10: The prosecution asks Vince Muscat whether Daphne Caruana Galizia or the murder plot had been discussed at the Marsa potato shed.

Muscat tells the jury that lawyer David Gatt would occasionally visit.

During these visits, Gatt would frequently make an upward-pointed gesture with his index finger, Muscat recalls, adding that it appeared to be a habitual mannerism.

The judge questions Muscat further about the meaning behind the gesture.

Muscat recalls one occasion where someone had remarked: “How long is he going to keep doing that with his finger?”

George Degiorgio then explained that the gesture was not meant to refer to Chris Cardona, but instead was used to refer to Keith Schembri without mentioning him by name.

The gesture was used to refer to Schembri as the number one.

Muscat recalls a separate occasion where Gatt had made a sound imitating an explosion.

However, Muscat says that he had never discussed the assassination of Caruana Galizia with Gatt.

16:02: Vince Muscat and Alfred Degiorgio later obtained a rental car from a company in Buġibba.

The rental was the same model as Daphne Caruana Galizia’s vehicle, allowing them to practice gaining access to her car.

This was done once or twice to work out how to best open the journalist’s vehicle on the day of the assassination.

The prosecution asks whether Muscat knew what information Caruana Galizia was allegedly about to publish.

“I don’t like asking questions,” Muscat replied. “It didn’t interest me.”

15:57: Muscat goes on to explain that three bombs were obtained from Robert Agius and Jamie Vella. The bombs were brought into Malta from abroad.

One of the bombs is kept beneath a boat near the Marsa potato shed, before Muscat and Alfred Degiorgio retrieved it and took it to a garage.

Muscat explains that the explosive device was around five inches long and consisted of a SIM card, two wires, and a switch.

Agius and Vella met with Degiorgio and Muscat at a garage in Naxxar, where the former show Degiorgio how the device works and how to operate it.

The bomb was transported inside a shoebox which was placed in the car's spare-wheel compartment.

They also purchased a charger which allowed them to monitor the bomb's battery, although Muscat notes that it was always fully charged.

A bottle filled with petrol was also attached to the bomb.

15:51 Muscat tells the court that George Degiorgio preferred using explosives to guns since shooting carries a greater risk of police passing by.

"This is why we got three bombs from Robert Abela. Sorry! Robert Agius," Muscat says.

At this, the courtroom erupts in laughter.

15:36 Muscat testifies that he frequently drove Alfred Degiorgio to Valletta, where Degiorgio claimed he was meeting with then-Economy Minister Chris Cardona. Muscat notes he would see Degiorgio entering the Auberge de Castille, though he could not personally confirm if the meetings with Cardona actually took place. However, Muscat recalled Degiorgio claiming that Cardona was receiving information from Assistant Commissioner Silvio Valletta - who was initially in charge of the murder investigation before being removed following a legal challenge after mit was revealed that he had travelled with Yrgen Fenech. Muscat further recounted Degiorgio telling him of an instance where he was present with Cardona when the minister received a message and allegedly remarked, "It looks like they're charging €150,000," to which Degiorgio replied, "That's for the same one." 

15:30 Vince Muscat tells the jury that the hitmen purchased a pair of binoculars which cost around €300.

"They were very handy because they autofocused," Muscat remarks.

Alfred Degiorgio and himself regularly monitored Caruana Galizia's movements. At one point, they even followed her while she went shopping with her husband. On several occasions, they watched her while she was at a café in Naxxar.

Once she would return home, Muscat recalls, she would sometimes park her car inside the garage. At other times, she would leave it outside.

15:19 Originally, Muscat says, the plan was to shoot Daphne Caruana Galizia.

He explains that Alfred Degiorgio was supposed to pull the trigger from a window overlooking fields and trees.

Muscat and Degiorgio had gone to the location to analyse the view, and from there they could see Caruana Galizia sitting at her computer inside her house.

With them, Muscat and Degiorgio brought sacks concealing a shotgun obtained from Jamie Vella and Robert Agius.

They were supplied with three firearms in total.

15:13 Muscat says that Alfred Degiorgio told him that Daphne Caruana Galizia was about to publish highly important information about someone, and that this was the motive behind the murder.

In an effort to reassure Theuma that the group was carrying out what they had been instructed to do, Muscat says Degiorgio drove Theuma to the "nest," which is the surveillance point they used to monitor the victim's movements.

After asked by the prosecution, Muscat tells the court that the first vehicle used in the operation was a silver Peugeot hired rented from a company in Ħal Farruġ.

Muscat and Degiorgio picked up the car together, but later exchanged it for a white vehicle after deciding that the Peugeot was too large.

15:10 AG lawyer Godwin Cini: "Why did you given Melvin a phone?"

Vince Muscat: "Theuma was given a mobile phone so he wouldn't have to keep visiting the potato shed, where Alfred Degiorgio and I feared we would be seen by other people."

The phones allowed Theuma and Degiorgio to communicate without having to meet in person, Muscat explains.

However, Muscat says Theuma continued visiting the potato shed anyway, recalling that he visited twice before the 2017 general election.

15:02 The first inconsistency emerged immediately, regarding the timing of the €30,000 deposit, which Muscat (Koħħu) stated was paid shortly before the 2017 general election, despite his previous testimony indicating it was paid after. When confronted with this discrepancy, Muscat admitted he could not be certain of the exact timing, though he maintained his belief that it was before. Muscat recalled Theuma informing him and the Degiorgio brothers that Caruana Galizia was on the verge of exposing "something big," warning that if she published the information before she was killed, the person behind the contract would call off the entire plot. 

14:54 Judge Edwina Grima rules in favour of the prosecution. Before the break, the defence raised an objection on whether the prosecution should be able to reference the testimony Vince Muscat gave during the compilation of evidence if he does not remember it.

The prosecution is allowed to make reference to the witnesses' testimony given during the compilation of evidence to help jog his memory.

The jury takes their seats in the courtroom.

14:33 The afternoon part of the sitting is set to resume shortly. The jurors will not enter until after Judge Edwina Grima  outlines her decision related to the legal points raised before the break. 

12.50 The sitting has been paused for a lunch break.  Judge Edwina Grima will rule on the legal point after that, at 2:30pm.

12.20 After hearing legal arguments, Judge Edwina Grima has exited the courtroom. She will return with a decree on how the questioning of Vince Muscat can continue.

11:59 The jury was ordered out of the courtroom while the prosecution and defence debated the procedure for questioning Koħħu, a witness for the prosecution. The prosecution requested permission to reference Koħħu's previous testimony from the compilation of evidence throughout his current testimony, effectively allowing them to prompt the witness with his past statements as he recounts events. The defence objected, arguing that Koħħu should first provide his testimony without interruption and that any inconsistencies should only be addressed after he has finished speaking. 

11:41 The prosecution asks Koħħu regarding additional payments from Theuma. Koħħu testifies that prior to paying the €30,000 deposit, Theuma had given Alfred Degiorgio approximately €1,000, telling him to "buy a drink" with the money.

He adds that the plot to kill Daphne Caruana Galizia resumed following the 2017 general election, according to instructions from Theuma. He recalls specific details from their surveillance of the Caruana Galizia family home, noting that a maid visited once a week driving a red Toyota Vitz. Alfred Degiorgio conducted most of the surveillance because he lived nearby in St Paul's Bay. Koħħu also recounts an occasion where they spied on her at a Naxxar café, as Theuma had informed them she frequented the spot. He remembered her sitting alone at a table with her laptop after purchasing a packet of cigarettes.

11:25 Following the meeting, Il-Fulu informed Koħħu that the objective was to kill Daphne Caruana Galizia. Koħħu and the Degiorgio brothers agreed to collaborate on the hit, setting a price of €150,000 with a €30,000 non-refundable deposit. Shortly after, they purchased four burner phones - one for each participant and one for Theuma. During a follow-up meeting at Busy Bee, Theuma agreed to the terms and offered to pay the deposit immediately. At a third meeting at the same café, Theuma handed Alfred Degiorgio the €30,000 in a cigarette packet. The three men split the money, receiving €10,000 each, and began surveillance on Caruana Galizia. About a week later, Theuma sent a message instructing them to halt the plot due to the general election. When questioned about the reason for this order, Koħħu stated that Alfred Degiorgio simply told him it was related to "something important." 

11:15 The questioning shifts to the 2017 plot, with Koħħu noting he was still a regular at the Marsa potato shed. He testifies that George Degiorgio's brother, Alfred, known as "Il-Fulu," approached him seeking help with a "big job." Il-Fulu had learned of this opportunity from Darren Debono, known as "it-Topo," who relayed a message from Melvin Theuma indicating he needed to speak with the Degiorgio brothers.

Koħħu stated he had known Theuma for years, as Theuma ran an illegal bookmaking operation and worked as a taxi driver. Koħħu and Il-Fulu initially searched for Theuma at the Marsa horse racing track, a place he frequented, but could not locate him. A few days later, Il-Fulu informed Koħħu that he had successfully contacted Theuma and arranged a meeting at the Busy Bee cafe in Msida; Koħħu drove Il-Fulu to the meeting but remained outside and did not personally see Theuma. 

11:05 Koħħu recalls Jamie Vella telling him that Chris Cardona was "all talk" and would not follow through with the plan. He also notes that lawyer David Gatt was a frequent visitor to the Marsa potato shed. Furthermore, Koħħu mentions that Michael Cassar - who served as police commissioner from late 2014 until April 2016 - had been brought up in conversation. When Koħħu asked Degiorgio about Cassar, Degiorgio claimed he had no further information. 

10:59 Koħħu testifies that Jamie Vella knew the location of Daphne Caruana Galizia's home because he owned a nearby farmhouse. Koħħu and George Degiorgio, whom he refers to by his nickname "Iċ-Ċiniz," spent two days conducting surveillance on the property but never saw her. At one point, Degiorgio approached the house to investigate, noting an old, dirty BMW parked behind the gate and a sign warning of a dog. Koħħu explained that the initial plan was to intercept Caruana Galizia as she drove out of her home and have Jamie Vella shoot her. However, the plan fell through because the promised €50,000 deposit never arrived. Koħħu stated that Degiorgio frequently argued with lawyer and former police officer David Gatt - who was close to Cardona - to secure the payment, and when the money failed to materialise, they stopped going to Bidnija. 

10:50 The prosecution questions Koħħu regarding events in 2015. He says that he frequented the Marsa potato shed daily and became well-acquainted with George Degiorgio. Koħħu recounts that in 2015, Degiorgio mentioned he had a job involving Jamie Vella and asked Koħħu to drive him to Portomaso for a meeting with Chris Cardona. After dropping Degiorgio off, he was told he was not needed for a return trip.

The following day, Degiorgio allegedly stated, "We have to get rid of Daphne Caruana Galizia," claiming that Chris Cardona wanted her killed and proposing that Degiorgio, Koħħu, and Vella carry out the hit. Koħħu testifies that the plan involved demanding a total of €150,000, with a €50,000 deposit, and that Degiorgio mentioned four individuals wanting her dead, though Koħħu states he did not know their reasons. 

10:45 Attorney General Godwin Cini begins questioning Vince Muscat.

Cini takes us back to December 2017, when Muscat was arraigned in connection to the homicide of Daphne Caruana Galizia.

"Can you explain to us what happened?"

"I am sentenced to 15-years in prison," Muscat replies.

"Regarding this homicide," Cini continues, "What was your involvement and what was the story from the beginning?"

10:40:  Vince Muscat, known as il-Koħħu, is now testifying. Muscat is serving a 15-year sentence for his role in the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia after reaching a plea deal with the Attorney General.

Muscat was the first person to be convicted for the victim's murder, pleading guilty in 2021 to helping plan the murder and acting as a runner for the Degiorgio brothers.

As part of his plea deal, Muscat agreed to provide prosecutors with information about the murder. He became a key prosecution witness in several proceedings relating to the case.

Muscat has already testified in detail about the planning of the assassination and the roles played by other individuals in the operation. In fact, his admission led to the arrest of the Maksar brothers Adrian and Robert Agius, along with Jamie Vella.

His testimony led to further developments in other investigations connected to the case.

10:00 The jury question Bajada on the process used to clone Caruana Galizia's mobile phone.

Bajada explains that since the victim's device was a "total loss" after the fatal explosion, investigators decided to purchase an identical phone and inserted a SIM card registered with the same number.

This way, investigators were able to recover the data. "The only thing we lost was the recent week of WhatsApp messages because the backup to the cloud had not yet been carried out," he says.

Jurors ask whether the same process could have been carried out on the mobile phone Keith Schembri claims to have lost at around 5am on the day his home was searched. While confirming that the same procedure was technically possible, Bajada says "no request was ever made."

When jurors ask whether there is a time limit for carrying out such a request, Bajada says this must be done within the first 48 hours of the suspect being in police custody. He notes that this would be a crucial time since messages could easily be deleted. "Even though Schembri lost his phone, could he still modify the information from the cloud?" the jury asks.

Bajada replies that at that stage of the investigation, no court-appointed IT expert had been engaged and no request had been made to appoint one.

9:51 The bachelor party that former minister Chris Cardona attended is the next focus for the defence.

Cardona had previously denied meeting any of the men accused of murdering Caruana Galizia outside the courtroom. However, photos emerged showing Cardona and Alfred Degiorgio at the party.

The court discusses this photo.

However, Bajada insists he cannot confirm whether the two individuals in the image are in fact Cardona and Degiorgio.

9:47 The defence turns to emails recovered from Daphne Caruana Galizia's accounts which specifically mention Keith Schembri and Chris Cardona.

The witness confirms that Schembri was mentioned in approximately 237 emails, while Cardona appeared in around 274 emails.

9:44 The defence asks similar questions about Johann Cremona's number in Schembri's address book.

Johann Cremona was an associate of Melvin Theuma.

Cremona's number was saved under the name ix-Xlukkajr in Schembri's phone.

De Marco announces to the court that the defence is in possession of a screenshot of a signal message sent from Xlukkajr to Schembri.

"Ejja minn hemm (Let's go)," the message reads, to which Schembri replies "Yes!"

9:31 Two of Keith Schembri's phones were seized and analysed, Bajada says (neither is the one that went missing at 5am before police came knocking).

Defence lawyer Gianella De Marco's questions focus on Keith Schembri's address book.

She asks Bajada to confirm that the contact, named ir-Rukkell, is the registered number of Kenneth Camilleri.

"I don't want to be annoying, but it's obvious," Bajada replies, noting that his report is being exhibited in court with all the relevant details.

Regardless, the defence intends to confirm several details.

9:11 IT expert Martin Bajada is to continue being cross-examined by the defence.

9:01 Judge Edwina Grima has entered the courtroom. The sitting is about to start.