The police are investigating an allegation that Yorgen Fenech committed perjury while on the witness stand in his own trial after a request by PN MEP David Casa.
Casa’s office said in a press release that the Attorney General’s office had confirmed that the request for an investigation into suspected perjury by Fenech has been forwarded to the Commissioner of Police “for the necessary investigation”.
Fenech was cleared of charges of complicity and conspiracy in the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia by a jury. He took the unusual option of testifying himself during the trial, despite being the accused.
Casa’s request centres on Fenech’s testimony under oath that Electrogas and 17 Black were entirely unrelated, describing them as “apples and oranges”, the statement said.
“‘Apples and oranges’ is an insult to the public’s intelligence. Fenech was giving sworn testimony in a murder trial. He must answer for the truthfulness of what he told the court,” Casa said.
In his letter, Casa highlighted the apparent contradiction between that testimony and the substantial documentary and financial evidence concerning 17 Black, its ownership, its alleged role in intended payments to companies belonging to senior government officials, and the connections between those arrangements and Electrogas.
“These were not trivial details. They concerned the corruption Daphne Caruana Galizia was investigating and matters directly relevant to the prosecution’s case on motive. Attempting to wave them away with a glib phrase makes proper scrutiny all the more urgent.”
Casa demanded that the authorities secure the full recording and transcript of Fenech’s testimony and compare his precise assertions with the banking records, communications and other evidence in their possession.
“This deeply troubling acquittal must not be the final word. Every available legal avenue towards a retrial must be pursued. Nor can the verdict place Fenech’s sworn testimony beyond scrutiny. If he knowingly lied under oath about matters central to the case, that would constitute an outrageous affront to justice - one that must carry criminal consequences.”
Casa said the Police Commissioner must now ensure a thorough investigation without delay and pursue prosecution if the evidence warrants it.
“The referral must lead to action. If Fenech knowingly gave false evidence, he must face the consequences. The justice system cannot allow its witness stand to become a platform for lies told with impunity.”