As Yorgen Fenech’s trial by jury gets underway today, nearly nine years after the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, here’s a look at some of the key figures at the centre of one of Malta’s most significant criminal cases.Daphne Caruana GaliziaThe journalist and blogger who was killed in a car bomb outside her Bidnija home in October 2017. Police believe she was murdered because of her journalistic work. Five people have already been convicted over her murder.Yorgen FenechThe businessman and Tumas Group heir accused of complicity in Caruana Galizia’s murder. Prosecutors allege he masterminded the assassination, a charge he denies. He was arrested in November 2019 and spent more than five years in pre-trial detention before being granted bail.Melvin TheumaThe taxi driver who received a presidential pardon in exchange for revealing what he knew about the murder. Theuma alleges he acted as the middleman between Fenech and the hitmen and secretly recorded conversations with Fenech after the assassination. He is expected to be one of the prosecution’s key witnesses. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lovin Malta (@lovinmalta)Alfred and George DegiorgioKnown as il-Fulu and iċ-Ċiniż, the brothers admitted to planting and detonating the bomb that killed Caruana Galizia. They are currently serving 40-year prison sentences.Vince Muscat (il-Koħħu)The first person convicted over the murder after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors. He admitted helping plan the assassination and later provided evidence that led to further arrests and convictions.Robert Agius and Jamie VellaBoth were convicted in 2025 and sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of supplying the bomb used in the assassination. Adrian Agius, Robert’s brother, was convicted in the separate murder of lawyer Carmel Chircop but has not been convicted in connection with Caruana Galizia’s murder.Keith SchembriFormer chief of staff to then-Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. Schembri has long featured in the investigation and has been repeatedly mentioned in court proceedings. He has denied wrongdoing and has never been charged in connection with the murder.Chris CardonaThe former Economy Minister has denied allegations linking him to the case and has never been charged. His name has surfaced during the investigation through claims made by others involved.Silvio VallettaThe former deputy police commissioner who initially formed part of the murder investigation before being removed from the case following a court challenge. He has denied allegations that he leaked information to Fenech.Lawrence CutajarThe former police commissioner who resigned shortly after Fenech’s arrest. His handling of aspects of the investigation has come under scrutiny during court proceedings.Joseph MuscatMalta’s former prime minister. A public inquiry concluded that his government created an atmosphere of impunity that contributed to the circumstances surrounding the murder. Muscat has denied any involvement in the assassination.The trial is expected to last several weeks and is set to feature testimony from dozens of witnesses as prosecutors seek to prove their case and the defence contests the allegations.•