‘New leads’ in Daphne Caruana Galizia murder investigation, chief investigator says

There are new leads in the investigation into the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia which may lead to other people who are somehow involved in her assassination, chief investigator Keith Arnaud told the public inquiry into the murder.

These leads “do not necessarily concern the people known to the investigation so far,” Arnaud said in a testimony which was largely held behind closed doors.

The leads are based on data extracted from devices which Europol will be presenting in the compilation of evidence in the coming days. The raw data, he said, is being analysed by the Maltese police in tandem with Europol.

“There is a lot of data to be exhibited, but it is easily understandable,” Arnaud said.

Thus far, three people were charged with carrying out the murder – George Degiorgio, Alfred Degiorgio and Vince Muscat. Meanwhile, Yorgen Fenech was charged with masterminding the murder. Melvin Theuma, who allegedly acted as the middleman between Fenech and the three killers, was granted a presidential pardon last year to tell all.

Chief justice emeritus Joseph Said Pullicino, who forms part of the board, asked Arnaud if there is something relevant to this inquiry in the data.

“I think there could be,” the investigator said before adding that the data could help understand certain aspects of the crime.

“There are new leads. It could lead to other people who are somehow involved in the murder. It doesn’t necessarily concern the people known to the investigation so far,” he said.

Arnaud said that the investigation into the murder is still ongoing at the same pace as in previous months. He said that while the analysis on data collected last November is still not finished, “there are some people the police would like to speak to as a result of what is emerging from the data.”

The rest of the sitting continued behind closed doors.

Konrad Mizzi, one of the most controversial figures of Labour’s seven years in government, has been summoned to testify next on Friday. Mizzi no longer forms part of the PL Parliamentary Group.

The inquiry is led by retired judge Michael Mallia and includes former chief justice Joseph Said Pullicino and Judge Abigail Lofaro.