Middleman in the Daphne Caruana Galizia assassination plot Melvin Theuma is set to continue his testimony in court on Tuesday.
Theuma's testimony continued on Monday, with jurors hearing further secret recordings centred largely on the financial pressure he said he faced from the Degiorgio brothers after Daphne Caruana Galizia's murder.
Theuma, the self-confessed middleman in the 2017 assassination, was granted a presidential pardon in exchange for information.
Fenech 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, Giannella de Marco 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.
Please refresh the page for updates
9:52 Theuma notes that Fenech told him, "If you and I remain solid, nothing will happen," suggested that "even the police will relax if the Degiorgios escape," and remarked that "Arnaud's got guts to keep working, he only makes 1,700 euros a month."
9:48 A recording of a conversation between Theuma and Yorgen Fenech is played in court. Just like yesterday's recordings, the audio is garbled and much of what is being said is difficult to make out, but some swearing can be heard.
Theuma appears to be listening intently as the recording continues to play.
"What did you understand from this?" the judge and prosecutor Godwin Cini ask Theuma.
Theuma says that because Keith Arnaud was investigating the Degiorgio brothers, they "used to see him as the devil".
Before the recording is replayed, the prosecution asks for Theuma to be allowed to wear headphones so that he can hear the audio more clearly. Prosecutor Godwin Cini also asks for the recording to be paused at certain points so that the witness can explain specific parts of the conversation.
The defence objects, pointing out that if Theuma listens through headphones, no one else in the courtroom will be able to hear what he is hearing.
The judge ultimately allows Theuma to listen to the recording through headphones. The courtroom cannot hear the audio while it is being played to him.
After listening, Theuma explains parts of the conversation. He says he was afraid that the Degiorgio brothers would turn against him.
9:41 The first recording of the day has not been transcribed - meaning jurors may have a tough time understanding what is being said.
Court expert Martin Bajada is seated next to the witness to do his best to make the audio as clear as possible.
9:35 Jurors take their seat. So does witness Melvin Theuma. The day's court session can begin.
9:30 Judge Edwina Grima enters the courtroom. The judge appears visibly unimpressed with the prosecution over the late submission of documents and requests for photocopies. She makes it clear that she will not arrange photocopies for jurors at the last minute, either on the morning of a sitting or the evening before. She says the jurors will instead have to follow the documents from their tablets. The judge says that both she and court expert Martin Bajada are struggling to keep up with the material being presented. She tells prosecutors that it is no longer permissible for them to submit new evidence at the last minute.