Court hears Maltese politicians 'involved' in plot to kill Daphne Caruana Galizia

Two former high-ranking Maltese politicians were accused in court on Wednesday of plotting to kill journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. The allegations came during a chaotic hearing in Valletta, where businessman Yorgen Fenech is on trial for ordering the 2017 assassination.

The jury heard from brothers George and Alfred Degiorgio, underworld figures who confessed to planting the car bomb that killed the journalist and are serving 40-year sentences. They named former economy minister Chris Cardona and Keith Schembri, who served as chief of staff to the prime minister, as being "involved" in the murder. Lawyer David Gatt was also implicated.

Alfred Degiorgio, brought from prison, told the court: "Before I testify, I want to say that Chris Cardona, David Gatt and Keith Schembri are involved in the murder." He then refused to answer further questions, citing a pending case at the European Court of Human Rights, and was arrested for contempt of court.

George Degiorgio provided detailed allegations in the afternoon. He claimed the murder plot began in 2015, saying "It was Chris Cardona who gave me the orders." He described a meeting where Cardona allegedly offered €150,000 to kill Caruana Galizia because "she'll break our party." According to Degiorgio, Cardona handed him €50,000 in cash, and the plot involved shooting the journalist, but it was called off before the 2015 elections at Gatt's request.

George also alleged that Cardona and Schembri were behind the 2017 assassination, but the prosecution noted he had not mentioned this in previous sworn testimony. He shouted at the prosecutor and warned jurors to "be careful," leading to a €1,000 fine for contempt of court.

Cardona, Schembri, and Gatt have previously denied involvement. Caruana Galizia's family stated on Tuesday that "allegations alone are not evidence" and that no sufficient proof has been presented that Schembri or Cardona paid for the assassination.