Malta Trial of Yorgen Fenech Links Ex‑Officials to Daphne Caruana Galizia Murder

Businessman Yorgen Fenech is on trial in Valletta for allegedly commissioning the 2017 car‑bomb murder of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. The trial, which began on July 1, sees Fenech pleading not guilty to charges of complicity in her homicide and criminal association.

During their testimony, the two convicted hitmen, brothers Alfred and George Degiorgio, identified former chief of staff Keith Schembri and former minister Chris Cardona as participants in the plot. The Degiorgios claimed that Cardona and middleman Melvin Theuma confirmed Schembri’s role in ordering the attack.

The murder involved a remotely detonated bomb placed under Galizia’s car, killing her on Oct 16, 2017. Earlier convictions include the Degiorgio brothers, Theuma and several bomb suppliers. In early 2025 Fenech was released on Malta’s largest bail package, secured by cash, a guarantee and shares in the Tumas Group, with 24‑hour police surveillance and travel restrictions.