Police Investigator Reveals Castille Briefed on Caruana Galizia Murder Probe
· Updated
In brief
- Lead police investigator Keith Arnaud testified that Castille was repeatedly briefed on the Daphne Caruana Galizia murder investigation.
- Phone evidence from Yorgen Fenech's device showed communication with the former OPM chief of staff.
- Mr Arnaud also detailed Mr Fenech's attempt to escape on the day of his arrest.
Assistant Commissioner Keith Arnaud, the lead investigator in the Daphne Caruana Galizia murder case, told jurors on Monday that police had repeatedly briefed Castille, the Office of the Prime Minister, on developments in the investigation. This testimony came during the sixth day of the trial of Yorgen Fenech, who is accused of complicity in the journalist's murder.
Mr Arnaud stated that phone evidence extracted from Mr Fenech's device revealed communications with the disgraced former OPM chief of staff. These revelations suggest a close link between the highest levels of government and the ongoing murder probe.
Earlier on Monday, Mr Arnaud also outlined how Mr Fenech allegedly planned his escape. He described the events leading up to Mr Fenech's arrest on his yacht in Portomaso, detailing the accused's attempts to flee the island.
The Maltese Herald reported that associates of former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat are defending his communications and association with Yorgen Fenech in 2019, during the period of the murder investigation. The outlet also highlighted the extensive association and collaboration between Yorgen Fenech and Keith Schembri, the former OPM chief of staff.
The trial continues, with further testimony expected to shed more light on the complex web of connections surrounding the assassination.
During the ongoing cross-examination of Assistant Commissioner Keith Arnaud, lead investigator in the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, Yorgen Fenech's defence team has sought to challenge the police investigation.
The defence repeatedly accused the police force of failing to adequately look into all possible avenues of investigation. This line of questioning aimed to cast doubt on the thoroughness and impartiality of the police's work in the high-profile case.
Mr Arnaud's cross-examination resumed today as the trial by jury entered its sixth day. The defence's strategy appears to be focused on scrutinising the investigative methods and decisions made by the police throughout the inquiry.
The Spin Room
Medium media divide. Newsbook provided a live update on the cross-examination, while The Shift News highlighted the defence's efforts to challenge the police investigation.
- Newsbook: Reported on the resumption of the cross-examination of lead investigator Keith Arnaud in the ongoing trial.
- The Shift News: Focused on the defence team's attempts to discredit the police investigation into the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia.
Updates
- : Updated with details on the defence team's strategy to challenge the police investigation during Keith Arnaud's cross-examination.