News summary produced by Claude AI
During proceedings in the trial of businessman Yorgen Fenech, who is accused of ordering the journalist’s assassination, testimony was presented in which two brothers claimed political involvement in the killing. The brothers, George and Alfred Degiorgio, are serving 40-year sentences after confessing to constructing and detonating the car bomb that killed Caruana Galizia.
Alfred Degiorgio made a brief statement naming former economy minister Chris Cardona, former chief of staff to the prime minister Keith Schembri, and lawyer David Gatt as “involved” in the murder. He subsequently declined to answer further questions, citing an ongoing challenge at the European court of human rights regarding his sentence. The judge found him in contempt of court and ordered his arrest pending a hearing to be held within two days.
George Degiorgio provided extensive testimony detailing alleged events beginning in 2015. He claimed Cardona instructed him to arrange the journalist’s death, offering €150,000 as compensation. Degiorgio stated that Cardona expressed concern that the journalist would damage the political party, and that Schembri and others were involved in the plot. He further alleged he received €50,000 in cash and that surveillance of Caruana Galizia’s residence was conducted before being halted due to a police patrol. Degiorgio asserted the initial plot was abandoned at Gatt’s direction ahead of elections scheduled for April.
During cross-examination, George Degiorgio declined to discuss details of the 2017 killing itself, also invoking his European court challenge. He became combative when questioned about inconsistencies with his previous testimony and was found in contempt of court, receiving a €500 fine that he verbally protested.
Cardona, Schembri, and Gatt have previously denied any involvement in Caruana Galizia’s death. The journalist’s family released a statement emphasizing that allegations do not constitute evidence and noting that no sufficient evidence has been presented in court demonstrating that Schembri or Cardona funded the assassination.