Two former high-ranking Maltese government officials were accused of plotting the 2017 assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia during court testimony on Wednesday, as reported by The Guardian.
Brothers George and Alfred Degiorgio, who are serving 40-year sentences after admitting to planting the car bomb, named former economy minister Chris Cardona and former prime ministerial chief of staff Keith Schembri as being involved in the conspiracy during the trial of businessman Yorgen Fenech in Valletta.
Alfred Degiorgio, who refused to answer subsequent cross-examination questions due to an ongoing appeal at the European Court of Human Rights, initiated the day's testimonies with his statement.
"Before I testify, I want to say that Chris Cardona, David Gatt and Keith Schembri are involved in the murder," said Alfred Degiorgio.
Following his refusal to answer further questions, Judge Edwina Grima found Alfred Degiorgio in contempt of court and ordered his arrest.
George Degiorgio testified later in the afternoon, detailing an earlier 2015 plot allegedly initiated by Chris Cardona to eliminate the investigative journalist.
"The murder started in 2015," said George Degiorgio. He further detailed the origins of the alleged directive, pointing directly to the former economy minister.
"In 2015, it was Chris Cardona who gave me the orders."
George Degiorgio described meeting Cardona at a bar through an intermediary, lawyer David Gatt, to discuss the assassination.
"Come with me, Cardona wants to speak to you," said David Gatt.
The hitman then recalled negotiations regarding the financial terms of the operation during that same meeting. "I told him it would cost €150,000 …" said George Degiorgio.
He claimed he inquired about other individuals who were privy to the assassination plans.
"I asked him [Cardona] who was involved and he said 'me, Keith, the commissioner and someone else'. He said he didn't know the other person."
According to George Degiorgio, Cardona claimed the journalist needed to be killed because of her reporting on the ruling Labour party administration.
He claimed Cardona later provided a €50,000 cash advance and assured him that police patrols near Caruana Galizia's residence would cease after the hitmen encountered a police car.
"You can continue, police won't be passing from there anymore," Cardona allegedly said.
The initial shooting plot was eventually called off ahead of political elections on the instructions of Gatt, who allegedly told the hitmen to keep the advance payment.
"Keep the money, I'll sort it out," said Gatt.
During a heated exchange, the prosecution questioned George Degiorgio on why he had not mentioned Cardona and Schembri in relation to the successful 2017 bombing in his previous sworn testimonies.
He shouted at the prosecution and directed a warning to the jury before being fined €500 for contempt of court.
"Be careful," said George Degiorgio. The witness then mocked the penalty imposed by Judge Grima.
"Make it €1,000 instead of €500."
Cardona, Schembri, and Gatt have previously denied any involvement in the assassination of Caruana Galizia.
Following the hearing, the family of Caruana Galizia released a statement urging caution regarding the courtroom allegations.
"The defence appears to be inviting the jury to consider whether responsibility of Daphne's assassination lies elsewhere; that the mastermind is not Yorgen Fenech but rather Keith Schembri or Chris Cardona.
But allegations alone are not evidence."
The family emphasized that claims must be backed by credible proof to hold weight in a court of law.
"No sufficient evidence has been presented in court showing that Keith Schembri or Chris Cardona paid for Daphne's assassination."
