A taxi driver acting as an alleged middleman told a Malta jury that businessman Yorgen Fenech was impatient for the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia and once texted that he was 'preparing champagne' to celebrate.
Key facts
- Yorgen Fenech, 44, is on trial in Malta for complicity in the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.
- A taxi driver testified he acted as middleman between Fenech and three men already convicted of the killing.
- The contract killing was valued at €150,000.
- Caruana Galizia died in an October 2017 car bombing.
- Fenech allegedly texted from his boat that he was 'preparing champagne' to celebrate the murder.
The businessman accused of paying for hitmen to murder journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was impatient for the killing to take place and once texted from his boat that he was “preparing champagne” to celebrate, a jury in Malta has heard, according to the Guardian.
Yorgen Fenech, the 44-year-old heir to a property empire that includes several Hilton hotels, is on trial in Malta for complicity in the murder of Caruana Galizia. The court heard testimony from a taxi driver who says he acted as a middleman between Fenech and three men already convicted of carrying out the killing.
According to the testimony reported by the Guardian, the contract killing was valued at €150,000. The taxi driver described his role in linking the businessman to those who have already been convicted of the crime.
Caruana Galizia died in a car bombing in October 2017. Her death came after she had published a series of revelations about senior politicians that were so damaging they triggered a snap general election, the Guardian reported.
The account of Fenech’s alleged impatience and the ‘champagne’ text formed part of evidence presented to the jury during the ongoing trial in Malta.
Why it matters
The murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia became a landmark case for press freedom, exposing high-level corruption in Malta and prompting political upheaval. The trial of Yorgen Fenech is a central part of the long-running effort to hold those responsible for her killing to account.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Yorgen Fenech?
According to the Guardian, Yorgen Fenech is a 44-year-old businessman and heir to a property empire that includes several Hilton hotels. He is on trial in Malta for complicity in the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.
How did Daphne Caruana Galizia die?
She died in a car bombing in October 2017, after publishing a series of revelations about senior politicians that were so damaging they triggered a snap general election, the Guardian reported.
What was the value of the contract killing?
The court heard that the contract killing was valued at €150,000, according to testimony reported by the Guardian.