Former Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar insisted Monday that his contact with Edgar Brincat was a legitimate attempt to obtain intelligence linked to the Daphne Caruana Galizia murder investigation, as the two men dominated Monday's proceedings in the trial by jury of Yorgen Fenech.
Saturday's sitting was largely dominated by the testimony of Edgar Brincat, known as Il-Ġojja, who recounted conversations he claimed to have had with state witness Melvin Theuma in the months following Daphne Caruana Galizia's assassination. His testimony continued today, preceding that of Cutajar
Yorgen Fenech, a businessman, has pleaded not guilty to two principal charges: complicity in the wilful homicide of Daphne Caruana Galizia and criminal association to commit the murder.
Caruana Galizia, a columnist with The Malta Independent, 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.
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18:16: That wraps up our live coverage for today.
The testimony of former Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar has now concluded.
The trial will continue tomorrow, with Johann Cremona expected to take the stand.
Thank you for following our live updates.
A full, comprehensive summary of today's courtroom proceedings will be uploaded shortly.
18:03: As cross-examination continues, lawyer Giannella de Marco points out that Melvin Theuma's presidential pardon refers to the 2007 HSBC robbery and asks Lawrence Cutajar why it is included.
Cutajar replies that he is not involved in drafting the presidential pardon.
He tells the court that he signs it after discussions with the Attorney General and maintains that he takes no part in those discussions.
De Marco then refers to the robbery at Casino di Venezia on 3 February 2010, as well as the HSBC Qormi robbery of 30 June 2010, noting that both crimes are also mentioned in the proclamation.
Cutajar reiterates that he is never consulted about those offences and insists that the contents of the proclamation are agreed with the Attorney General.
17:58: Lawrence Cutajar maintains that the meeting he attended at Castille concerns Melvin Theuma's presidential pardon, not Vince Muscat's request for a presidential pardon.
He adds that the report recommending Theuma's presidential pardon is prepared by the investigators leading the murder investigation.
The defence then turns to the photo of Melvin Theuma and Keith Schembri found inside the ice cream container.
Cutajar tells the court that he first learned of the photograph through media reports.
Asked whether he was informed that Theuma had requested Nationalist lawyers Simon Busuttil, Karol Aquilina, and Jason Azzopardi, Cutajar says that no such request was made in his presence.
17:44: Questioned by the defence, Lawrence Cutajar denies that Melvin Theuma asked to meet him after his arrest, replying: "No, no, no."
He maintains that nobody informed him such a request had been made and adds that nobody had any reason to ask for him.
Asked whether Melvin Theuma was granted a presidential pardon on the same day he was arrested, Cutajar says he thinks that was the case.
When asked whether the presidential pardon also covered members of Theuma's family, Cutajar replies that he does not remember.
17:29: Lawrence Cutajar again insists that he never disclosed any information relating to the murder investigation.
Questioned by the defence, he says he does not remember being summoned to Police Headquarters to discuss the intercepted chats between himself and Edgar Brincat.
Cutajar also tells the court that he does not know Melvin Theuma or any members of his family.
Turning to Johann Cremona, Cutajar initially says he knows Cremona's father.
He later clarifies that he spoke directly to Johann Cremona on only one occasion, and that the conversation concerned a personal matter.
17:11: Tensions rise in the courtroom after lawyer Giannella de Marco twice accuses former Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar of being "corrupt."
Madam Justice Edwina Grima intervenes, stopping the line of questioning.
Cutajar firmly rejects the accusation, telling the court that the investigation into Daphne Caruana Galizia's assassination was successfully solved while he was police commissioner.
He says the investigation was particularly challenging because a car bomb attack left little evidence but maintains that the case was nevertheless cracked under his leadership.
17:05: Referring to earlier testimony by Police Superintendent Nicholas Vella, lawyer Giannella de Marco suggests that Cutajar had been informed in advance of the planned arrest.
Cutajar rejects the claim, insisting: "He removed nothing, because we found everything. We wanted the recordings and we found them."
The defence then asks whether he ever tried to keep Keith Schembri away from the investigation or discussed the case with him.
Cutajar replies: "I never spoke to him. If we ever spoke, it was probably about football."
When the defence asks whether Schembri supports Inter Milan, Cutajar smiles and replies: "No, no. He doesn't." Cutajar is an enormous Inter Milan fan - he is wearing a tie in the football club's colours in the court room.
16:55: Lawrence Cutajar tells the court that he did not know when the police raid leading to Melvin Theuma's arrest was due to take place.
He explains that the investigation into Theuma's alleged illegal lottery activities could have resulted in his arrest independently of the murder investigation.
However, Cutajar maintains that without the recordings there would have been no evidence linking Theuma to the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia.
16:42: Lawrence Cutajar tells the court that, as police commissioner, he had the right to conduct his own inquiries into different cases.
During cross-examination, the defence suggests that he is "bluffing like Melvin" over his disagreement with Assistant Police Commissioner Keith Arnaud regarding the arrest of Melvin Theuma.
Cutajar dismisses the allegation, shrugging his hand in the air and replying: "Bluff, that's bluff."
Cutajar acknowledges there was a disagreement over whether Theuma should be arrested, explaining that, at the time, the recordings were the main piece of potential evidence, even though investigators did not yet know what they contained.
He nevertheless maintains that the tapes could have assisted the investigation.
Cutajar tells the court that he never spoke to Arnaud again after leaving the police force in January 2020.
Asked whether he had ever lied about Arnaud, he replies that he had not.
16:23: De Marco asks Cutajar how he knows that he is saved in Edgar Brincat's mobile phone under the initials "M.R.C."
Cutajar replies that he believes the initials stand for "Marsa Racing Club."
16:19: The defence, led by lawyer Gianella de Marco, begins its cross-examination of former Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar.
De Marco begins by pointing out that the intercepted phone call was made after Melvin Theuma was granted a presidential pardon and after several individuals had already been arraigned in court.
She asks Cutajar why he told the court earlier that he had not discussed his testimony with anyone before giving evidence.
Cutajar rejects the suggestion that he lied, replying: "I didn't lie about anything. Where did I lie?"
When he is reminded that he has just testified moments ago that he had not discussed his evidence with anyone before the compilation of evidence, Cutajar says he had "completely forgotten" about the phone call.
The defence continues to press him on why he felt the need to discuss his testimony with Edgar Brincat, suggesting the call had been intercepted by the Malta Security Service.
Cutajar denies there was any agreement between them.
When the defence quotes a passage in which he allegedly says it was "important that we keep the same line," Cutajar replies that by "the same line" he meant telling the truth, not agreeing on a version of events.
16:11: When asked again whether he remembers when the phone call was made, former Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar says he does not recall.
The prosecution then reminds him that the call took place on 14 July 2020.
The prosecution argues that the recording clearly shows that Cutajar did not disclose any information relating to the murder investigation during the conversation.
15:57: The jury returns to the courtroom and former Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar resumes his testimony.
A recording of a phone conversation between Cutajar and Edgar Brincat, known as Il-Ġojja is being heard in court.
Reference is made to the intercepted phone call, with Cutajar telling the court that he does not remember when the conversation took place but recognises Edgar Brincat's voice.
15:55: The court directs the prosecution to produce the evidence referred to during the hearing before the witness.
Lawyer Anthony Vella argues the defence is attempting to create confusion between statements allegedly made by the witness and evidence that forms part of the court record.
The prosecution submits the evidence is already legally before the court and argues that the examination of former Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar should continue.
15:51 Proceedings are temporarily suspended and the jury is asked to leave the courtroom.
The defence tells the court former Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar has repeatedly stated under oath he did not discuss the case with anyone before giving his testimony on 22 July 2020, or at any stage beforehand.
However, the defence argues the court and the jury have heard recordings of conversations between Cutajar and Edgar Brincat in which they allegedly discuss circumstances related to the case and agree on how they should testify so as to be "on the same line."
In light of this, the defence submits that there is a question over Cutajar's credibility and argues that the issue is not one of refreshing the witness's memory. Instead, it contends that Cutajar has lied under oath.
15:40 Lawrence Cutajar testifies that he met with Edgar Brincat one additional time. He claimed his interactions with Brincat were intended as "bait," explaining that he led Brincat to believe he was handling a contravention issue to secure information about Theuma's recordings, though he noted Brincat never provided any useful information. Cutajar insists throughout his testimony that his ongoing contact with Brincat was solely for the purpose of learning more about the existence and location of the tapes.
15:26 Lawrence Cutajar tells the court that Melvin Theuma's initial interrogation occurred in his office, though he maintained that he "stayed out of it" and that lead investigator Keith Arnaud conducted all questioning. Cutajar noted that investigators provided him with continuous updates regarding their dealings with Theuma following the arrest. He says that his signature appears on Theuma's presidential pardon alongside those of Theuma himself and Attorney General Peter Grech, adding that Arnaud presented the pardon to the Cabinet. Furthermore, Cutajar confirms that the information provided by Theuma under the pardon ultimately led to the arrest of Yorgen Fenech, though he emphasises that he was never personally involved in the police questioning of Fenech.
15:15 Lawrence Cutajar testifies that he spoke to Edgar Brincat about the existence of Melvin Theuma's recordings, specifically asking Brincat if he knew their whereabouts. He stated that he subsequently informed the investigators on the case that he was in communication with someone regarding the recordings, and although he was not entirely certain, he believed he had identified that person to them as Brincat. Cutajar noted that Theuma was later arrested by the financial crimes department, at which point he was informed that recordings had been discovered inside a box. He concluded by stating, "I never saw them myself."
15:10 The sitting resumes.
13:15: Cutajar says that his "police mind" immediately kicked in when Brincat approached him about the traffic fine. He says that from his years working in Qormi, he knew the area and those who lived within it quite well - to the point that he even knew where Brincat lived.
Brincat never told Cutajar what the recordings contained, despite Cutajar's best efforts, the court hears He says informed investigators, the inquiring magistrate, the Malta Security Service, and Europol about the contact and none of them told him that he had done anything wrong.
The court breaks for lunch and proceedings will resume at 3pm.
13:05: Theuma was eventually arrested in November 2019, together with members of his family and Edgar Brincat - who we heard testify earlier today - and Cutajar says that this would give the police greater leverage over Theuma for other offences.
Cutajar turns to his contact with Brincat, and says that Brincat had approached him about a traffic contravention, and he used that as a way of trying to get information out of him about Theuma, as he knew that they were close.
There was no secrecy in this, Cutajar says, adding that investigators always approach people who may have useful information.
12:55: Cutajar testifies that he is unaware as to how long Vince Muscat’s request for a pardon remained under consideration. He does recall that Europol had wanted to arrest Theuma immediately.
He also says that his decision to instruct the Financial Crime Investigation Department to investigate Theuma was “vital” because it provided sufficient grounds for Theuma to be arrested.
He adds that he had no involvement in that investigation and got no updates about it.
12:50: Cutajar testified that investigators had began uncovering information suggesting the existence of recordings and phone calls that could help the investigation, and that intercepts pointed the police in the direction of Melvin Theuma.
This sparked discussions on whether Theuma should be arrested, and regular meetings involving Arnaud, inspector Kurt Zahra, Cutajar, the Malta Security Service, Europol, and the Attorney General were held to discuss whether to arrest him or not.
In the end, it was decided that they would wait as an immediate arrest may have revealed investigators’ hands.
Separate meetings were also held at Castille – meetings which included then Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and his chief of staff Keith Schembri – to give updates about the case. When Silvio Valletta was removed from the case, Cutajar accompanied Arnaud to at least two of these meetings.
He says that he thinks that Arnaud had requested the meetings, and that in the two that he attended the main subject was recordings and intercepts on Melvin Theuma.
This information was in hand by December 2018 – but there was caution that if they had to arrest Theuma immediately, he would deny involvement, searches would turn up nothing, and police would have to release him, while alerting him that they were onto him.
12:40: Cutajar says that he was kept updated on the investigation by Silvio Valletta and Keith Arnaud, and that his door was always open.
From that investigation, the Degiorgio brothers and Vince Muscat were charged. Cutajar said that all he knew was that some people were going to be arrested and that his view was that if the police were to act, they need evidence which is strong enough.
He said that there came a point later when Vince Muscat wanted to speak to Arnaud in order to tell all in exchange for a presidential pardon. Asked what the outcome was, Cutajar said that when there is such a request, the lead investigator draws up a report and the Commissioner then must act based on the information and advice provided by the investigators.
12:25 Lawrence Cutajar testifies that Keith Arnaud served as the lead investigator for the murder case. Cutajar recalled first learning of the explosion in Bidnija on October 16, 2017, via police radio. He stated that he ensured the duty magistrate and forensic teams were notified before he personally visited the scene to verify that the area was secured. While at the site, he was informed that foreign agencies would be brought in to assist, and he subsequently instructed police personnel to refrain from taking any action without first consulting the inquiring magistrate.
12:16 Former Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar began his testimony, confirming he led the police force at the start of the Daphne Caruana Galizia murder investigation. He noted that he is currently the subject of a separate investigation concerning alleged leaks from that murder probe. Cutajar stated he is being represented by lawyer Ezekiel Psaila, who has advised him to refrain from answering questions related to the ongoing magisterial inquiry into those alleged leaks. While Cutajar remarked, "I don't quite agree with the advice lawyer Psaila gave me because I would like to answer every question," Judge Edwina Grima cautioned him that he retains the legal right to refuse to answer any questions that could potentially incriminate him.
12:12 Madam Justice Edwina Grima and the jury return to the courtroom as proceedings resume.
Former Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar is called as the next prosecution witness.
The prosecution begins its examination by asking former Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar to explain the role he held in 2017.
Cutajar tells the court he joined the Malta Police Force in February 1979. He says he was promoted to sergeant in September 1984, inspector in September 2000, superintendent in 2008, assistant commissioner in 2014 and Police Commissioner in August 2016.
Describing his career, Cutajar says he spent more than 30 years serving in district policing. As a sergeant, he served in the Birkirkara district, as well as periods in Sliema and Airport Security.
After being promoted to inspector, he briefly served in the Mobile Squad before being stationed in the Żejtun district, which at the time covered Żejtun, Birżebbuġa, Marsaxlokk, Żurrieq, Kirkop, Qrendi, Mqabba and Gudja.
Following his promotion to superintendent, he was assigned responsibility for the Cottonera district, which also included Żabbar, Qormi, Żebbuġ and Siġġiewi, before being promoted to assistant commissioner in 2014.
11:49 Madam Justice Edwina Grima orders a 20-minute break before proceedings resume
11:47 During the reading of the transcript and the playback of the recordings, Edgar Brincat is heard saying: "Depression ħa taqbadni... depression qabduni." (I'm getting depressed, they are making me depressed."
One of the jurors asks Brincat who he is referring to in the recording.
The witness replies he is referring to the Degiorgio brothers and Yorgen Fenech.
With that, Edgar Brincat's testimony comes to an end.
11:43 Following the conclusion of the defence's cross-examination, the prosecution asks the court to question Edgar Brincat on a number of points raised by the defence.
The court grants the request and allows the prosecution to read further extracts from the transcripts of the phone conversations between Melvin Theuma and Brincat, stating that this is to provide the jury with the full context.
Among the extracts read is one in which, according to the prosecution, Theuma says he intends to tell Yorgen Fenech that he "got nothing" out of everything that happened and that he ended up depressed and in a poor mental state because of the situation.
11:35 A further audio recording was played in court featuring a discussion between Brincat and Theuma regarding a meeting. When asked by the defence if this meeting was with the Police Commissioner, Brincat stated he did not remember the call but insisted it did not concern the Commissioner, reiterating his claim that Theuma did not know him. The defence concluded their questioning of the witness.
11:30 The defence suggests Johann Cremona had warned Melvin Theuma of the day he was due to be arrested. Brincat replies he does not know and adds that Theuma never mentioned Johann Cremona to him.
Defence lawyers then read an extract from Brincat's testimony during the compilation of evidence, in which he had said that Theuma told him Cremona had given him the date of his arrest.
Asked about the apparent inconsistency, Brincat replies: "I don't know why I said that. I remember he mentioned a date, but I don't remember the detail."
11:25 A further segment of the recording was played, featuring Theuma saying, "The work photo and envelope, I've got everything." Brincat is heard replying, "So they'll know. That way, he won't be able to say he doesn't know you and never met you." Under questioning from the defence, Brincat confirmed he was referring to Keith Schembri, though he insisted that Theuma had told him he never spoke directly to Schembri, and maintained that he had never advised Theuma to approach Schembri himself.
11:18 Brincat testified that he first saw the photograph of Melvin Theuma with Keith Schembri when it was published in the media. When asked by the defence if this was the "work photo" Theuma mentioned in the recording, Brincat initially said he did not know, but then conceded he likely told Theuma that if he possessed a photo with Schembri, he should include it in his evidence box, remarking, "If he knows those kinds of bigwigs..." Regarding the suggestion that he could have asked the police commissioner for help, Brincat retorted, "As if I'm going to tell the police commissioner 'My mate's involved in a bomb, can you help him out?'"
11:12 In a segment of the recording, Edgar Brincat is heard telling Theuma, "he engaged me." When asked by the judge whom he was referring to, Brincat confirmed it was Yorgen Fenech. During a rapid series of questions from the defence, Brincat denied knowing that the police commissioner was being tracked by security services, denied recalling Theuma speaking about cleaning up a place in Marsaskala, and denied advising Theuma to place his photo with Keith Schembri in his evidence box.
11:08 Following submissions by the prosecution and the defence, the court rules in favour of the defence on the issue of the recording transcript.
While jurors are allowed to use the transcript to follow the recording, Edgar Brincat is not provided with a copy while giving evidence.
Instead, Brincat is required to listen to the recording and interpret its contents without referring to the transcript, as it is played in court.
11:04 A further excerpt of the phone call is played in court, in which Brincat is heard saying, "Lil-ieħor, lil dak Kenneth semmih ukoll." (the other one, Kenneth Camilleri, mention him as well)
Asked why he tells Theuma to mention Kenneth Camilleri, Brincat says he does not remember. He adds he may have said it so that Theuma would have another form of proof but reiterates he still does not know who Kenneth is.
Brincat tells the court that "Kenneth kien xi ħaġa ma' Johann Cremona," adding that Johann Cremona is the one who has to answer regarding Kenneth.
The defence suggests that Kenneth Camilleri may have been sent by Keith Schembri to promise bail to Alfred Degiorgio, George Degiorgio and Vince Muscat. Brincat rejects the suggestion, reiterating that he never discussed Kenneth with Theuma.
Kenneth Camilleri is a former OPM official.
10:54 A segment of a recorded conversation was played in which Brincat appeared to be instructing Melvin Theuma: "Mention the other guy too, mention Kenneth. Make it clear." The defence challenged Brincat, arguing he was actively directing Theuma on what to include in his recordings. Brincat struggled to understand the audio and requested that the judge read that portion of the transcript aloud, which she did. When the defence pressed him on why he mentioned Kenneth if he claimed not to know him, Brincat explained he only knew that Theuma was planning to meet a Kenneth who was linked to Johann Cremona. He added that his intent in telling Theuma to "make things clear" was simply to ensure he had more proof.
10:42 The phone call between Melvin Theuma and Brincat is played in court, the defence points to what it says is a transcription error, arguing the transcript records the word as "dik" (that), whereas Edgar Brincat according to the defence actually says "Keith."
The phone call between Melvin Theuma and Brincat is then played in court. In the recording, Brincat is heard telling Theuma, to "mention his name" to which Theuma replies "yes".
Brincat is then heard saying, "to forget that friend now".
Asked whether he remembers the conversation, Brincat says he does but cannot recall whether he used the word "Keith" or "dik."
10:25 When played another segment of a phone conversation, Brincat struggles to understand the audio. The prosecution requests that the witness also be provided with a transcript to assist him; however, the defence objects to this request, insisting that the witness only be played snippets of the call.
10:10 Another audio recording of a conversation between Edgar Brincat and Melvin Theuma was played in court. The audio quality was poor, making it very difficult for those in the courtroom to discern the content of the discussion, to the extent that jurors were observed leaning forward in an attempt to hear more clearly. Consequently, Judge Edwina Grima ruled that jurors will be provided with transcripts of the recordings.
10:07 The defence tells the court that during his police interrogation, Edgar Brincat had refused to answer a question by Assistant Commissioner Keith Arnaud about the alleged "frame-up" of Yorgen Fenech. It argues this confirms the term "frame-up" had in fact been mentioned during the interrogation.
Brincat tells the court the confusion surrounding the "blackmail" issue arose because he had forgotten that the term "frame-up" had been mentioned during his interrogation, adding that his memory was refreshed after listening to the recording.
The defence also refers to Melvin Theuma's police statement, saying Theuma had told investigators Brincat gave him advice regarding the money laundering investigation.
It points out that, just a few minutes ago, Brincat testified Theuma never discussed money laundering with him. Brincat then says he cannot remember whether he had given Theuma any opinion about the money laundering allegations.
The defence further asks Brincat whether he had advised Theuma to "make up a story to justify the amount of money he had."
Brincat replies he does not remember.
09:51 Brincat says he does not recall the details relating to the "frame-up" and "blackmail" issue.
The defence requests part of Brincat's police interrogation be played in court to refresh his memory. The prosecution objects, arguing that only the relevant parts of the transcript should be read where the witness says he cannot remember.
The defence tells the court it has "serious doubts" about aspects of Brincat's testimony, particularly the evidence he gave during Saturday's sitting.
The court rejects the prosecution's objection and rules the recording may be played, stressing it is to be used solely to refresh Brincat's memory and not to replace his testimony on the "frame-up" and "blackmail" issue.
09:46 Questioned further by the defence, Edgar Brincat says he does not know who Kenneth Camilleri is, adding he only knows he may have worked at Castille. He confirms that Melvin Theuma had told him he was due to meet Kenneth Camilleri and that Johann Cremona was somehow involved.
Brincat tells the court, according to Theuma, the meeting concerned bail.
Asked about the police raids, Brincat says Theuma did not tell him anything about them.
The defence also asks whether Brincat had advised Theuma on whose names to mention in relation to the recordings. Brincat replies that the only thing he told Theuma was to mention that Yorgen Fenech was heard in the recordings. He adds that Theuma had told him he had "a lot of tapes."
Recounting the police raid and interrogation Edgar Brincat tells the court, on the morning of the police operation, he was reversing his car when he realised the people approaching him were police officers. He says they identified themselves before accompanying him to his residence to carry out a search.
Brincat confirms officers present him with documents referring to a money laundering investigation. He adds, however, that he was questioned by officers from the Homicide Squad, led by Assistant Commissioner Keith Arnaud, and not by investigators from the money laundering unit.
9:39 The questioning shifted to Brincat's own arrest and interrogation, during which he was held on suspicion of money laundering and his home was searched. He testified that he was questioned by lead investigator Keith Arnaud and Inspector Kurt Zahra. When the defence asked if police had questioned him on whether he and Theuma were attempting to frame Yorgen Fenech, or if he had been coaching Theuma on what to say, Brincat replied in the negative. He did note, however, that investigators brought up the subject of blackmail during his questioning, though they did not suggest a frame-up.
9:35 Brincat was asked if he had advised Melvin Theuma on what to say to Yorgen Fenech during the recordings or whom he should mention. The witness stated that he only advised Theuma to refer to individuals by their names to ensure clarity, adding that he never suggested or advised Theuma to begin making recordings in the first place.
9:26 During cross-examination, Brincat confirms that Theuma mentioned Kenneth Camilleri, noting that Theuma said he intended to meet him to discuss money but also claimed he had never actually spoken to him. When asked if Theuma ever mentioned Keith Schembri regarding Castille or if he requested a government job, Brincat stated he never knew of any job Theuma held or if he had applied for one. Regarding a photograph of Theuma with Schembri, Brincat said Theuma spoke of his recordings and was not sure if he had ever mentioned the photo. Brincat also stated he did not believe Theuma had recorded him. When asked if Theuma provided information about Schembri, Brincat replied that while no specific information was shared, it was clear to him that the two had been in contact.
09:15 Defence lawyer Gianella Demarco continues her cross-examination of Edgar Brincat, a close friend of Melvin Theuma, the middleman in the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia.
The defence asks Edgar Brincat whether Melvin Theuma had mentioned Keith Schembri, to which Brincat confirmed that Theuma spoke of both Keith Schembri and Yorgen Fenech.
09:11 Good morning from Hall 22, where the trial by jury of Yorgen Fenech enters its 17th day
Madam Justice Edwina Grima enters the courtroom as the jurors take their places.