The trial by jury of Yorgen Fenech enters its 19th day today, with Johann Cremona expected to continue testifying as the prosecution presses ahead with presenting its case.
Yesterday's sitting was largely dominated by the testimony of Johann Cremona, who said he was someone Melvin Theuma regularly confided in. Theuma is the self-confessed middleman in the murder.
He told jurors that Theuma had repeatedly confided in him about his alleged role as the middleman between Yorgen Fenech and the Degiorgio brothers, as well as developments surrounding the alleged murder plot in the months leading up to and following Daphne Caruana Galizia's assassination.
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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10:05 The prosecution is questioning the witness about several remarks made during the recordings. Johann Cremona repeatedly tells the court that he does not know or cannot remember what he meant at the time.
Referring to Edgar Brincat, known as "Il-Ġojja," Cremona explains that he believes Brincat was being "kept in the dark" about certain matters.
In another exchange, Cremona is heard telling Melvin Theuma that he would "lead him in the right direction."
Clarifying the statement, Cremona tells the court he was referring to Yorgen Fenech and Keith Schembri, explaining that he wanted to keep Theuma calm and prevent him from becoming confused. He insists he never actually led Theuma "in any direction."
The recordings also turn to a surveillance camera installed outside the shop belonging to Cremona's uncle, which overlooked the residence of Mario Degiorgio.
Cremona tells the court that he found out about the camera through Melvin Theuma. He adds that Theuma never explained how he had become aware of the camera.
According to Cremona, Theuma believed that the camera had been installed by the secret service because it overlooked an area he frequented. Cremona also tells the court he had suggested to Theuma that the camera might contain a microphone.
09:54 The prosecution continues playing recordings of conversations between Johann Cremona and Melvin Theuma. It is worth noting that Cremona, the witness for today, was not aware he was being recorded at the time.
The recording refers to a conversation in which Theuma had previously told Cremona that Yorgen Fenech had become increasingly worried in the months leading up to this conversation, fearing that someone might begin revealing information.
The recording also refers to Fenech becoming alarmed after learning about the existence of Theuma's recordings.
At one point, Cremona is heard telling Theuma that any discussions about money should be held directly with Fenech. He tells the court that he could not understand why Fenech was not speaking to Theuma himself and instead appeared to be communicating through him.
9:46 During the presentation of more excerpts from the audio recordings, Melvin Theuma is heard asking Johann Cremona when Yorgen Fenech started getting messed up, to which Cremona replies that it was "since the recordings." In another part of the recording, Cremona tells Theuma, "I will direct you," and the two men discuss an individual named "Mario," with Cremona telling Theuma that Kenneth told him to "tell him not to go there... there is a camera." When the prosecution asksCremona about each extracted portion read out in court, Cremona says that he could not remember what they had been talking about in any of the instances.
09:34 The prosecution begins questioning Johann Cremona by playing recordings of conversations between him and Melvin Theuma.
In one recording, Cremona is heard saying, "Ħieles minn kollox" (free from everything). Asked what he means by the phrase, Cremona tells the court he is referring to Melvin Theuma getting away with everything "scot-free".
In the same recording, Theuma says: "He tried snitching seven months before but they ignored him."
Asked who he is referring to, Cremona tells the court that Theuma is speaking about Vince Muscat, known as "il-Koħħu," explaining that Muscat had decided to reveal what he knew but that "they had ignored him."
During the recording, Cremona also appears to suggest that a magistrate had been bribed.
Addressing the recording in court, Cremona apologises for the remark, explaining that he did not even know who the magistrate was at the time and saying he should not have made the comment.
09:15 The sitting has started