Yorgen Fenech’s Aunt Offers To Act As Guarantor For His Bail
Monica Fenech, the aunt of Yorgen Fenech, the man charged with complicity in the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, told the court on Friday she is willing to act as his guarantor if he is granted bail, the Times of Malta reported.
“I believe he is not capable of hurting anyone,” she said during her testimony.
Monica, the sister of Yorgen’s father and a 30% shareholder in the Tumas Group, told Justice Edwina Grima that she was prepared to pledge a significant amount of money or assets to secure her nephew’s release.
Fenech, a former businessman, has been in custody since his arrest in late 2019. He is awaiting trial for allegedly being involved in Caruana Galizia’s assassination and has pleaded not guilty.
Last month, he filed a new request for bail, arguing that over 30 months have passed since a bill of indictment was issued against him. His lawyers are presenting their case during pre-trial hearings, which address legal matters before the trial begins.
During her testimony, Monica stated, “I am here because I believe in his innocence, and I don’t think he belongs here… I am willing to guarantee anything needed because I trust him.”
She suggested that, if released on bail, Yorgen could live in a house across the road from her own. The property, previously owned by her late sister, is registered under a company’s name, not her own.
The judge requested additional evidence, including photographs and plans of the residence where Fenech might live. Monica was also asked to provide her bank statements, with further submissions on bail postponed to the next hearing.
Upcoming Hearings
The next session is scheduled for 15th January and will include testimony from Superintendent Anne Marie Xuereb and further arguments on Fenech’s bail application.
The prosecution team includes Attorney General lawyers Anthony Vella, Godwin Cini, and Danika Vella. Lawyers Gianluca Caruana Curran, Charles Mercieca, and Marion Camilleri represent the defense, while Andrew Borg Cardona and Jason Azzopardi appear as parte civile.