Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1535324
8 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 14 MAY 2025 COURT IN court, Muscat confirmed he received €20,000 for his role in the killing. He could not clearly explain why he was paid that sum since he claimed he merely rode in the backseat of a car, assisted during some stakeouts and had no part in deci- sion-making. "That's how much Carmel Chircop's life was worth," he stated. He claimed he acted out of fear of the Agius brothers: "You can- not say no to the Maksar brothers," and insisted he would have faced serious con- sequences otherwise. Lawyer Nicholas Mifsud pressed Muscat about the villa allegedly offered by Adrian Agius as part of a repayment of his debt to Chircop. Muscat admitted to visiting the villa but was challenged on why this had never been mentioned before in his many previous depositions. Muscat had earlier said only a pistol and revolver were present, but had recently added that an AK-47 was also in their pos- session, hidden under a car seat. Defence lawyer Nicholas Mifsud ques- tioned why such a detail was also never mentioned during the magisterial inquiry. Muscat also gave inconsistent accounts of the vehicle used during surveillance of Chircop. He previously said it was his own, but during the ongoing trial he said it be- longed to Adrian Agius. He also recalled stakeouts in Naxxar and Birgu, including seeing Chircop near a coffee shop and rec- ognizing Agius' son. Upon questioning, Muscat repeatedly denied being the mastermind of the group and claimed the Degiorgio brothers gave orders. When further pressed, he denied saying that he wanted to 'explode' Caruana Gali- zia, even if others would be harmed. He re- affirmed that George Degorgio said these words, and had told them to go on with the plan even if her children were with her. Al- fred Degorgio had agreed with this. Lawyer Noel Bianco further highlighted more conflicting versions of events provid- ed by Muscat. These included conflicts in the time of the murder, initally stating it occurred around 6:00am and 6:30am but after being granted a presidential pardon, he stated it was from 5:00am to 5:30am. Muscat stated "I didn't wear a watch". Jurors were also shown a route map lead- ing to the garage in Birkirkara allegedly prepared by the accused men. Muscat ex- plained the route but at times had difficul- ty remembering certain roads shown on the plan. Muscat did not know who draft- ed the plan. From further questioning by lawyer Bi- anco, Muscat admitted that his lawyer at the time, Arthur Azzopardi, had applied for the 1 million government reward on behalf of his client. This was offered by for- mer Prime Minister Joseph Muscat in re- turn for information on the Caruana Gal- izia murder. He reaffirmed that he never asked for this himself but it was his lawyer who suggested it to him, and only learned about it later. Vince Muscat also admitted to having a history with the police. When questioned by lawyer Amadeus Cachia about the po- tential million dollar reward, Muscat stat- ed he did not recall whether he had turned down the offer when informed by his law- yer. Muscat also admitted to sending his daughter to former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat's to request a pardon. The witness also said that he never spoke to Melvin Theuma. However lawyer Am- adeus Cachia brought to his attention the fact that he had told Arnaud that Theuma would not stop chasing him. The witness was also questioned about the reliability of his testimony over the past four days, asked whether he was simply re- peating what he had heard from others. Muscat admitted that he had no guarantee the information he heard was accurate and acknowledged that he was quoting what others had told him. Moreover, Koħħu alleged that the Degor- gio brothers 'used him' since they never really included him in the plans and were always whispering behind his back. When they met up with Chris Cardona, they did not involve him. Vella and Robert Agius, Adrian's young- er brother – are accused of complicity in the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia by supplying the bomb that killed the journalist in October 2017. Adrian Agius is charged with commissioning the murder of lawyer Carmel Chircop in 2015. Prosecutors insist that the hit was also car- ried out in complicity with Jamie Vella and George Degiorgio who are accused of executing Chircop's murder. Defence lawyer Cachia told the witness that this was because he was so untrust- worthy and that even Keith Arnaud did not trust him at all. Prosecutors Godwin Cini, Danika Vella, and Anthony Vella are representing the attorney general's office. Defence lawyer Nicholas Mifsud is ap- pearing for Adrian Agius, Ishmael Psaila and Amadeus Cachia for Jamie Vella, Al- fred Abela and Rene Darmanin represent- ing Robert Agius, and Noel Bianco and Leslie Cuschieri for George Degiorgio. Jason Azzopardi and Therese Comodini Cachia are assisting the Caruana Galizia family, while Vince Galea is assisting the Chircop family. Maksar gang trial: 'You don't say no to the Maksar brothers,' Kohhu tells court MAYA GALEA mgalea@mediatoday.com.mt