Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1348867
3 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 10 MARCH 2021 NEWS Bomb that killed Daphne contained 500g of explosive in A4-size package CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The four men are charged with involve- ment in the murders of lawyer Carmel Chircop and Caruana Galizia. Robert Agius and Vella had supplied the bomb that killed Caruana Galizia and showed her executioners how it worked. Arnaud told the court that the bomb had been stored in a garage in Vjal Ragusa between Mosta and Naxxar. The bomb was A4-size, laden with 500g of explosive and also had a petrol bottle attached to it to act as an accelerant. Arnaud's testimony is based on what convicted murderer Vince Muscat told police after he admitted being part of the Caruana Galizia assassination. Muscat was sentenced to 15 years in prison after a plea bargain agreement last month. George Degiorgio and Alfred Degior- gio are facing separate proceedings for their involvement in the Caruana Galizia murder. Arnaud said that Muscat's testimony explained how Caruana Galizia's execu- tioners were able to open Caruana Gali- zia's car so quickly and place the bomb beneath the driver's seat. The bomb was detonated by an electronic device that was activated by an SMS. Plan to explode Daphne on her way to Valletta The SIM cards used to activate the bomb were purchased sometime in No- vember and December 2016 and towards the start of 2017 an SMS was exchanged between them. This was probably a test SMS to ensure they worked. Arnaud said the message was traced to Santa Venera, which tallies with what Muscat told police that the bomb was for a short while stored in a Santa Ven- era garage since the intention was to blow up Caruana Galizia as she drove to Valletta. Arnaud also told the court that Rob- ert Agius had supplied the rifle, which was originally going to be used to shoot Caruana Galizia from a distance. That plan was however scrapped since according to what Muscat told police, George Degiorgio preferred using a bomb. The amount of explosive used in Caru- ana Galizia's bomb was much more than that in the bomb that maimed Romeo Bone in a car explosion that happened in Msida in February 2017. Bone survived the attack but lost both legs. Nobody has been charged with the crime and it is unclear from Arnaud's testimony whether the attack on Bone was perpetrated by the same people who killed Caruana Galizia. The court also heard Arnaud testify on the involvement of the Agius broth- ers, Vella and George Degiorgio in the murder of lawyer Carmel Chircop in a Birkirkara garage complex in 2015. Mus- cat was given a presidential pardon to tell all on this murder. The court heard how Muscat was of- fered €20,000 for his involvement in the Chircop murder and €50,000 for the Caruana Galizia assassination. The compilation of evidence continues today. Key courtroom players Magistrate Caroline Farrugia Frendo is presiding. Lawyers Alfred Abela and Rene Dar- manin are defence counsel to the Agius brothers. Lawyer William Cuschieri is appearing for George Degiorgio. Lawyer George Camilleri is represent- ing the Attorney General in the pro- ceedings, while Superintendent Keith Arnaud and Inspectors Shawn Pawney and Wayne Camilleri are prosecuting. Lawyers Jason Azzopardi and Therese Comodini Cachia are appearing par- te civile for the Caruana Galizia family, while lawyer Vince Galea is appearing for the Chircop family. Murder suspect Jamie Vella was in white overalls as he recovers from COVID-19 (Photo: JAMES BIANCHI | MaltaToday) The accused where escorted to court by heavily-armed prison officers