Accused in Caruana Galizia murder trial alleges police frame-up and names ex-PM's aide

Yorgen Fenech, on trial for the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, has testified for the first time, claiming he was framed and that Keith Schembri, the former prime minister's chief of staff, was the instigator. Fenech also alleged he received leaked information from Schembri. The prosecution's case relies on a self-confessed middleman who says Fenech paid €150,000 to hire the killers.

Fenech’s testimony marks the first time he has addressed the charges since his 2017 arrest, after waiving his right to silence. He detailed a close relationship with Keith Schembri, alleging Schembri leaked police intelligence and discussed Caruana Galizia obsessively, including at a barbecue where the murder idea first surfaced. Fenech also described his own drug addiction and frequent contact with senior officials, while the prosecution continues to rely on middleman Melvin Theuma’s claim of a €150,000 payment. Schembri has denied involvement and was never treated as a suspect.

The trial’s core conflict is now stark: Fenech’s frame-up narrative versus Theuma’s confession. Fenech’s allegations against Schembri, a once-powerful unelected official, have not been corroborated by police, who called Schembri only as a witness. The jury must weigh Fenech’s credibility against the middleman’s account, with the defence seeking to shift blame upward while the prosecution maintains its original chain of payment and hiring.