Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1546363
YORGEN Fenech's trial for masterminding the murder of journalist Daphne Carua- na Galizia is nearing its end with the defence closing its final arguments on Saturday. Lawyer Charles Mercieca delivered an impassioned final address, urging ju- rors to rely on their indi- vidual judgement as he put Fenech's fate in their hands. Mercieca urged jurors to question whether the state proved its case beyond rea- sonable doubt. He argued that finding Fenech guilty would require ignoring ma- jor facts. Mercieca branded former OPM Chief of Staff Keith Schembri a "prime liar" and accused the authorities of shielding political figures, while relying on the "un- trustworthy" testimony of state witness Melvin Theu- ma. Mercieca highlighted what he described as numerous investigative gaps and cov- er-ups, pointing to political involvement, suppressed evidence, and the corrupt handling of Theuma's pres- idential pardon. "All roads and bridges leading to Keith Schembri were burnt," Mercieca said, adding the murder mo- tive was not Electrogas but Schembri's hatred of Caru- ana Galizia. At one point, Mercieca caused outrage when he brought up Caruana Gali- zia's laptop and hard drives, exclaiming that the Ger- man police had been asked to wipe them clean by the family. Despite objections and visible agitation from the prosecution bench, the law- yer pressed on, officially ending the defence's sub- missions with the words, "I'm passing Yorgen Fenech to you". With both the prosecution and defence having deliv- ered their final remarks, the trial enters its closing phase. Madam Justice Edwina Grima suspended the sit- ting and will address the ju- rors on Monday to provide legal direction before the jury retires to deliberate its verdict. YORGEN FENECH TRIAL SUNDAY • 30 AUGUST 2026 | maltatoday Yorgen Fenech's trial by jury Anna Calleja is a Maltese visual artist who works across figurative her usual studio practice, capturing the immediacy of the trial as Defence lawyer Charles Mercieca delivering the first part of the defence's closing address KAYLYN LINWOOD Klinwood@mediatoday.com.mt Defence wraps up and hands Fenech's fate to the jury Alleged murder mastermind Yorgen Fenech (Photo: James Bianchi/ MaltaToday)