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.
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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.
