Bomb suppliers in Daphne murder case had offered imprisoned killer €1,500 a month ‘to say nothing’

Convicted killer Vince Muscat told the court earlier this morning that the suppliers who provided the bomb that killed journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia had offered him €1,500 a month “to say nothing” while held in prison.

Muscat, who is a key witness in the murder trial in which Yorgen Fenech stands accused of voluntary homicide and criminal association, was describing the aftermath of the murder on Tuesday morning.

On Monday, Muscat testified that, together with Alfred and George Degiorgio, the car bomb hit was already in motion on the same day that the Labour Party was elected in 2017 and that the killers knew about a police raid on a site they frequented “weeks” ahead of the date.

Earlier today, Muscat continued his testimony, explaining that when he was in prison and had already begun talking to the police, bomb suppliers Robert Agius and Jamie Vella – also convicted for their role in the murder – had offered payment in exchange for Muscat’s silence.

“Jamie and Robert had gone to Marsa, to a shop where my father-in-law used to go, and they had offered me €1,500 a month to say nothing,” Muscat said.

“This was to avoid me mentioning their names to the police. I’m not sure exactly what my father-in-law did; I don’t really remember… but my answer was no. My family members told me about this, obviously,” Muscat added when asked to clarify.

Muscat also testified about how he was fearing for his life and for his family’s lives after he declined to stay silent and the other conspirators in the plot figured out that he had shared information about the murder with lead investigator Keith Arnaud.

While explaining how the Degiorgio brothers were getting their information through pardoned middleman Melvin Theuma, who was calling them on a burner phone they had smuggled into prison, Muscat expressed that he was “very afraid” of what they could have done to him or to his family.

“There was a reason for that fear. I worried about my family. There are so many things which could have happened… they threatened to throw acid at my children. It was a threat. I know what these people are capable of doing,” Muscat said.

Muscat’s foggy recollection of events proved somewhat problematic, with the prosecution quoting excerpts from the witness whenever his memory faltered.

One key point which the witness was unsure of was whether the €30,000 deposit they had asked for was handed over to them before or after the 2017 general elections.

Muscat initially insisted that the deposit had been paid out before the elections. The prosecution argued that he had previously testified consistently that it was paid afterwards.

Madam Justice Edwina Grima warned the prosecution that the question had already been asked more than once and that it could not keep repeating it in the hope that the witness would give the answer it wanted.

Later in the sitting, Muscat said he remembered that the €1,000 “to buy us a drink” was paid before the deposit as an extra payment for the inconvenience of having to wait for it.

Muscat added that Alfred Degiorgio had told him that Theuma was holding the €30,000 until after the elections, thereby confirming his prior testimony during the compilation of evidence before Magistrate Rachel Montebello.

Muscat also testified about the bomb used in the murder, saying George Degiorgio wanted to make sure the device was powerful enough. He said that Degiorgio had expressed concern that the 2017 blast that maimed Romeo Bone, who lost both legs, was not powerful and wanted to ensure Caruana Galizia would be killed.

“That’s why we added a small petrol bottle to the bomb,” Muscat said.

He also said Alfred Degiorgio had told him that disgraced former economy minister Chris Cardona was getting information from former deputy police commissioner Silvio Valletta through another person, lawyer Edward Gatt, who represents disgraced former OPM chief of staff Keith Schembri.

The court also heard that, after his arrest, Muscat believed “powerful people” were supporting them.

“At the time, I thought that we had spoken to Chris Cardona, and that we had powerful people supporting us,” Muscat said when asked why the men had been told to “hold their heads high” when taken to court.

Asked point blank to state who, according to him, gave the order to kill Caruana Galizia, Muscat said all he knew was that Theuma was getting orders from someone else.

“I didn’t know who this someone was. I only know Melvin,” he said.

Muscat also said he did not know the mastermind behind the murder, but that he had once heard Yorgen Fenech’s name mentioned during a meeting with Arnaud. He said he had asked Arnaud whether police would arrest Fenech, because he was under the impression that Fenech’s power and wealth would insulate him from prosecution.

According to Muscat, Arnaud slammed his fist on the table and replied: “Anyone who lives below the sky can be charged” (mis-sema ‘l isfel, kullħadd jista jitressaq).

The trial continues on Tuesday afternoon with Muscat’s cross-examination by the defence.