Melvin Theuma, the suspected ‘middleman’ in the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia, has formally been given a presidential pardon, TVM has reported.

The pardon was given to Theuma following a formal request by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat to clear him from charges on condition that he provides evidence leading to the conviction of people higher up in the chain that led to the journalist’s murder.

TVM reported that Theuma will now testify in front of magistrate Neville Camilleri immediately.

Theuma, a taxi driver with a history of loan sharking, was first arrested on 14th November as part of a separate money-laundering sting.

Under interrogation, he then offered to give up information on the assassination along with some other cases, and he is believed to have pointed the finger at Yorgen Fenech, a personal friend of his. Fenech has since been arrested and has also requested a presidential pardon.

The Prime Minister approved the pardon without the recommendation of the cabinet, something which gave rise to criticism over his far-reaching powers, especially given that a leaked email had revealed Fenech’s plans to transfer large sums of money to Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi and the Prime Minister’s chief of staff Keith Schembri.

Fenech is also the director of Electrogas, the firm which operates Malta’s new gas-fired power station. The power station was a critical electoral pledge in Labour’s campaign to take government in 2013 and was under Konrad Mizzi’s remit back when he was Energy Minister.

When contacted by Lovin Malta, the Office of the Prime Minister’s spokesperson Matthew Carbone refused to comment due to an opinion piece written by this newsroom.