A Maltese court has heard testimony that Yorgen Fenech, the businessman accused of orchestrating the 2017 murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, was eager for the hit to be carried out. Melvin Theuma, a taxi driver who served as a middleman between Fenech and the three convicted hitmen, testified on Friday that Fenech once texted him from his boat stating he was “preparing champagne” to celebrate the event.
Fenech, 44, is the heir to a property empire and faces trial for complicity in the car bombing that killed Caruana Galizia in October 2017. The journalist had previously published damaging revelations regarding senior politicians, which triggered a snap general election. Theuma, who is currently under witness protection following a pardon, explained that his relationship with Fenech was rooted in a shared interest in horseracing. Describing the power dynamic, Theuma remarked to the jury, “He’s a lion and I’m a mosquito.”
According to Theuma, the initial motivation for the murder was to prevent the publication of information regarding Fenech’s uncle, Raymond Fenech. Theuma claimed that Yorgen Fenech told him, “Bring him here, I need him to kill Daphne because she’s going to publish information about Uncle Ray.” Over time, the witness noted that the justification shifted to protecting Yorgen Fenech himself from future revelations. Theuma, who has previously attempted to take his own life, was permitted to testify while seated and with his back to the accused, citing past intimidation.
During his testimony, Theuma recounted how he approached brothers George and Alfred Degiorgio and their associate Vincent Muscat at a warehouse in Marsa to arrange the contract killing for €150,000. He noted that he never disclosed Fenech’s identity to the hitmen. The process stalled temporarily when Fenech asked to call off the attack following the announcement of a snap general election by then-prime minister Joseph Muscat. Instead, Fenech requested that Theuma place a bet on Muscat winning a second term. A few days later, he gave Fenech his winnings from the bet – €300,000, minus a commission.
Following Muscat’s victory in June 2017, Theuma alleged that a tipsy Fenech contacted him to proceed with the murder. Soon after, Fenech provided the €150,000 in cash for the hit. The hitmen were given a €30,000 deposit and began scoping the journalist’s movements. As the hitmen monitored the journalist’s movements, Fenech became increasingly impatient. Theuma recalled that Fenech frequently asked about the status of the killing and required constant assurance that the burner phone used for communication had not left the country.
Reflecting on the aftermath of the bombing, Theuma expressed deep remorse, stating that his own life was destroyed upon hearing the news on television. He revealed that he remains in contact with the victim’s sons, Matthew and Paul, who have told him that he may find relief after the trial, though Theuma remains skeptical. Fenech maintains his innocence regarding the charge of complicity in voluntary homicide, and the trial is ongoing.
The key witness in the case, a taxi driver who says he acted as middleman between Fenech and three men already convicted of accepting €150,000 (£128,000) to carry out the killing, took the stand on Friday to begin his testimony.
Before taking the stand, Theuma had to be certified as fit to give evidence, having previously tried to take his own life. In 2020, having already secured a pardon, he swallowed acid and slit his own throat. He will be allowed to give evidence seated, with his back to Fenech and his lawyers, having previously complaine
