Tista' taqra bil- Malti.
The compilation of evidence against Yorgen Fenech, accused of complicity in the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, continued on Thursday at noon.
Pardoned middleman Melvin Theuma testified again as new recordings of conversations between himself and Yorgen Fenech will be heard.
Highlights from today’s court sitting:
- New recordings of conversations between Melvin Theuma and Yorgen Fenech were played in court
- Theuma’s testimony on these recordings was held behind closed doors
- On other recording played in court Theuma mentioned again Chris Cardona and Keith Schembri
- Theuma said that Fenech told him that il-Fulu had received money on the murder from others
- Pardoned middleman also said testified that Fenech told him that former deputy Police Commissioner Silvio Valletta used to receive whisky from Fenech in exchange for information on the murder
This live blog ends here. Thank you for following us.
After the 15th the next court sitting will be held on Monday 22nd June.
The next court sitting will be held on Monday at 10am.
Magistrate Montebello said that the court is not expecting that investigations are still ongoing in the case of Keith Schembri and Kenneth Camilleri.
On Monday Johann Cremona will be called to testify.
Inspector Keith Arnaud said that in the case of Keith Schembri and Kenneth Camilleri, the Police needs more time to investigate certain information.
Inspector Keith Arnaud said that in the case of Keith Schembri and Kenneth Camilleri, the Police needs more time to investigate certain information.
The court has ordered for the recordings to be cleared from any background noise during the conversation between Theuma and Fenech.
The court will appoint a sound engineer to carry out the task.
The court will appoint a sound engineer to carry out the task.
The defence is asking the court if it is possible if prior to Theuma's cross-examination Johann Cremona, Keith Schembri and Kenneth Camilleri are called to testify.
Magistrate Montebello said that the cross-examination can start once the transcripts are corrected.
The defence is asking the court if the cross-examination can start.
Melvin Theuma's testimony ends here.
Theuma does not recall the words said.
Azzopardi is referring to a particular word in the conversation and wants Theuma to listen to the recordings again.
Asking Thuema if he remembers Yorgen Fenech telling him that Chris Cardona was admitted to a hospital in Sliema and if Cardona was taken to hospital after he pointed a gun down his own throat, Theuma said he does not remember.
When saying that il-Fulu received the money from them as well. Lawyer Azzopardi asked Theuma if he knows "them" to whom he is referring in the recordings.
Theuma said that he is referring to Cardona but does not know if it is in reference to other people connected to Cardona.
Theuma said that he is referring to Cardona but does not know if it is in reference to other people connected to Cardona.
Theuma said he had asked Fenech if Valletta was to be removed from the investigation of the murder and Fenech reassured him it will not happen.
"Rega gej ghal Whisky" – is being heard in the recordings in reference to Silvio Valletta.
Lawyer Azzopardi is asking Theuma if Valletta used to receive bottles of Whisky from Fenech in exchange for information on the murder.
Lawyer Jason Azzopardi is asking question to Theuma on the recordings.
Melvin Theuma does not remember if during December 2018 Silvio Valletta was still the Police Deputy Commissioner.
The conversation goes on between the two discussing the murder and what happens in the eventuality they get caught and Theuma would be arrested in connection with the murder.
Theuma is explaining that during one of the conversations he told Fenech that they might be arrested but all will be settled through Fenech's connections.
Magistrate Montebello is warning the defence lawyers to not pass comments during the testimony of Theuma.
Inspector Keith Arnaud continued to question Theuma.
Theuma said he cannot remember the exact conversation but he is sure the conversation was about the murder.
Theuma said he cannot remember the exact conversation but he is sure the conversation was about the murder.
Defence lawyers are saying that Theuma's testimony cannot go on with his testimony as he is not able to remember certain facts but in certain cases is assuming.
Fenech used to mention with Theuma that Silvio Valletta used to go to Fenech to collect whisky.
"M'ghandekx lill-iehor" – Theuma said that he is referring to Keith Schembri as Fenech always told him that Keith Schembri is feeding him information.
Melvin Theuma also said that this was said to him by Fenech.
Thuema said that Azzopardi had collected money to give to il-Kohhu.
Lawyer Arthur (Turu) Azzopardi is mentioned in a conversation between Fenech and Theuma.
Theuma said that he could have checked if they found his mobile phone in the sea near the Marsa potato shed, with Johann Cremona.
Theuma is saying that he was surprised to hear that il-Fulu has 'received money from them too'
Theuma is saying, after hearing the recordings again, "mela ha (il-Fulu) l-flus min ghandhom ukoll" could be that he is referring to Chris Cardona – who might have handed the money to il-Fulu.
Inspector Arnaud told Theuma not to mention any names if he does not recall the person/persons.
Theuma said that in that recording he was referring to il-Fulu who might have received money from someone else too but did not mention any names.
Theuma said that in the recordings he asked Fenech if "they had received the money from the others as well"
Theuma said that the conversation happened at around the time of December 2018 – the month during which Fenech gave him the money to go for a holiday.
Theuma said that he recorded the conversation while they were at Portomaso.
A female voice is heard in the recordings but the female is not identified yet.
The court is listening to more recordings of conversations between Melvin Theuma and Yorgen Fenech.
Magistrate Montebello re-entered the courtroom after the court ordered a 10-minute break.
The press can now re-enter the courtroom.
The courtroom door is guarded by CCF guards.
The Caruana Galizia family and the family of Yorgen Fenech are also waiting outside the courtroom.
The press is still waiting outsite the courtroom.
Melvin Theuma's testimony is still being heared behind closed doors.
On Monday, Theuma also testified that he had told Fenech to tell "them" to not eliminate him.
He continued to explain that if Fenech and Schembri planned to eliminate him he pleaded to Fenech to not do it.
He continued to explain that if Fenech and Schembri planned to eliminate him he pleaded to Fenech to not do it.
During the last court sitting, Theuma said that he was convinced that Fenech and Keith Schembri wanted to eliminate him – either kill him or pin the murder on him solely.
We are still waiting outside the courtroom.
Theuma's testimony on the new recordings will be heard behind closed doors.
The press is asked to exit the courtroom.
During the last court sitting, pardoned middleman Melvin Theuma testified that in the recordings, still to be heard, reference is made to keith Schembri – Former Prime Minister Muscat's, Chief of Staff.
Arnaud also said that details mentioned in the recordings are still being investigated by the Police.
Inspector Keith Arnaud said that during the recordings details on unrelated matters are discussed.
Defence lawyers, parte civile and the prosecutors have asked Magistrate Montebello to listen to the recordings behind closed doors.
The court suspends the sitting for a few minutes.
Around 30 people are present inside courtroom 9 which is relatively small.
Unfortunately, social distancing cannot be observed although everyone is wearing a facemask or a visor.
Unfortunately, social distancing cannot be observed although everyone is wearing a facemask or a visor.
Melvin Theuma is summoned to take the witness stand.
Magistrate Montebello has entered the courtroom.
Yorgen Fenech's defence lawyers are Marion Camilleri and Gianluca Caruana Curran and Charles Mercieca whilst the prosecution is being led by inspectors Keith Arnaud and Kurt Zahra, assisted by the Attorney General.
Lawyer Jason Azzopardi is appearing parte civile for the Caruana Galizia family.
Lawyer Jason Azzopardi is appearing parte civile for the Caruana Galizia family.
Additional chairs have been provided so that all Fenech's family could enter inside and for CCF guards to sit inside.
Yorgen Fenech is present in the courtroom.
The courtroom is full. Not all relative of Yorgen Fenech could enter as they were 5 in total.
The Court hearing was expected to start at noon.
We are live from courtroom number 9.
Good afternoon and welcome to this live blog.
