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Malta murder trial: Yorgen Fenech alleges former PM Muscat knew of assassination plans
A new phase of the trial regarding the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia has commenced in Valletta, Malta. The proceedings have focused on police investigations and the alleged connections between defendant Yorgen Fenech and Keith Schembri, the former Chief of Staff to the Office of the Prime Minister.
During court testimony, Fenech alleged that former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat was one of three individuals who had full knowledge of the plans to assassinate the journalist. Fenech also claimed that Schembri had a long-standing motive to target Caruana Galizia due to her investigative reporting. The defendant further alleged that Schembri provided him with information regarding the murder investigation and even a script to follow, reportedly facilitated through doctor Adrian Vella.
Prosecution witnesses, including Inspector Kurt Zahra, presented evidence regarding the investigation. Zahra noted that Fenech had attempted to steer investigators toward specific topics during his 2019 interrogation. Fenech, who is charged with complicity in murder and criminal conspiracy, has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Entities
Daphne Caruana Galizia · Joseph Muscat · Keith Schembri · Malta · Melvin Theuma · Yorgen Fenech
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat was one of three people who knew about the plans to kill Daphne Caruana Galizia. napolipiu.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Fenech has pleaded not guilty to charges of complicity in murder and criminal conspiracy. www.maltanewsagency.com · www.italpress.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Keith Schembri wanted to get rid of Daphne Caruana Galizia due to her articles about him. napolipiu.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Melvin Theuma allegedly found other killers who requested a 120,000 euro payment. napolipiu.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] An initial plan to kill the journalist involved a 30,000 euro payment to hitmen. napolipiu.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Investigators cautioned jurors that Fenech had repeatedly attempted to direct the investigation toward specific topics. napolipiu.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Fenech claimed Keith Schembri kept him informed about the murder investigation and his phone being tapped. www.maltanewsagency.com · www.italpress.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Adrian Vella observed Fenech crossing out sections of a document allegedly provided by Keith Schembri to indoctrinate him on what to say. lovinmalta.com