Day 14 of Yorgen Fenech Trial: Police Seize Large Amounts of Cash from Melvin Theuma's Properties
On the 14th day of the trial for the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, Superintendent Nicholas Vella testified about money and items seized during the arrest of Melvin Theuma.
Day 14 of Yorgen Fenech Trial: Police Seize Large Amounts of Cash from Melvin Theuma's Properties
On the 14th day of the jury trial of Yorgen Fenech for the assassination of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, Superintendent Nicholas Vella was the first witness to take the stand as the prosecution continued to present its case before Magistrate Edwina Grima at the Courts of Justice in Valletta.
Vella testified about the searches conducted following the arrest of Melvin Theuma, the alleged middleman in the killing. At the couple's residence in Ħal Qormi where Cheyenne and Ryan lived, police found €112,304.40 in cash. In another locality in Ħaż-Żurrieq connected to Theuma and his wife, investigators discovered €550,207.07 in cash, along with foreign currency including sterling pounds, United States dollars and Swedish krona. Vella stated that these funds formed part of the magisterial inquiry and were exhibited as evidence in the criminal proceedings.
Around €2,000 more was found on Charmaine, Theuma's wife, and was also exhibited in court. Another amount of €132,445 was found in luggage belonging to Carmela Catania, Charmaine's mother. Vella explained that Catania requested clarification from the investigating magistrate and it was established that the money was from an inheritance. She was permitted to retrieve the funds. The remainder of the recovered money remained seized as part of the court proceedings.
The witness also said that whilst Theuma was in the interrogation room, other police teams were conducting searches at his residences. During that time, other people were also detained, including Theuma's wife, his daughter Cheyenne, and Cheyenne's friend, Ryan. Searches were carried out at various locations, including properties in Mellieħa, Wied il-Għajn and Ħal Qormi.
The court also viewed a video of the moment when police opened the sealed box that Theuma had carried with him during his arrest. Inside the box were found three mobile phones, a Philips voice recorder, a USB cable and three USB devices. One of the phones was placed in a special pouch to isolate the device from external signals. Documents were also found containing screenshots of chats that involved Yorgen Fenech, although Vella said he could not recall the exact content.
Vella noted that proceedings against Ryan Farrugia are still ongoing, whilst Charmaine and Cheyenne were found guilty in separate proceedings. Edgar Brincat (il-Ġojja) was also arrested during the operation because of his frequent contact with Theuma, but searches at his property revealed nothing of evidential value.
Source: Lovin Malta
Source: Lovin Malta