A jury in Malta has heard that Yorgen Fenech, the businessman accused of complicity in the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, was reportedly impatient for the killing to take place. A key witness testified that Fenech once texted from his boat, stating he was “preparing champagne” to celebrate.
Mr Fenech, 44, heir to a property empire, is currently on trial in Malta. Ms Caruana Galizia died in a car bombing in October 2017 after publishing revelations about senior politicians.
Melvin Theuma, a taxi driver who says he acted as a middleman between Mr Fenech and three men already convicted of the killing, began his testimony on Friday. Mr Theuma, living under witness protection, claimed Mr Fenech initially told him to arrange the killing to protect his uncle, Raymond Fenech, before the explanation reportedly changed to stopping revelations about Yorgen Fenech himself.
Mr Theuma recounted that Mr Fenech agreed to the price for the killing but later asked to call off the attack after a snap general election was called. After the then-prime minister, Joseph Muscat, secured a second term, Mr Theuma said Mr Fenech told him to proceed with the "Daphne job." Mr Theuma later received an envelope from Mr Fenech, who reportedly said, "It’s the €150,000 to have Daphne killed."
The witness broke down while describing learning of Ms Caruana Galizia's death on television. Mr Fenech denies the charges of complicity in voluntary homicide.