The family of Vincent Muscat, one of the men charged with the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, has denied ever receiving money from murder suspect Yorgen Fenech or from Muscat’s former lawyer Arthur Azzopardi.

During yesterday’s court sitting against Fenech, more recordings taken by middleman and state witness Melvin Theuma of his conversations with Fenech were played out in court.

At one point, Fenech could be heard saying that lawyer Arthur Azzopardi would sometimes collect money for his then client Vincent Muscat, known as Il-Koħħu.

Questioned about this, Theuma confirmed that Fenech had indeed told him that Azzopardi used to collect money for Muscat.

However, Theuma told the court he had no more information other than Fenech’s word for it and that he himself only used to pass money to Mario Degiorgio – the brother of George and Alfred Degiorgio, who have been charged with the assassination along with Vince Muscat. This appeared to imply that he believes Fenech was lying about Azzopardi’s involvement. 

In a statement issued late last night through their lawyer Marc Sant, Muscat’s family distanced themselves from the allegations.

“The Muscat family categorically denies that it has ever received any money from Yorgen Fenech or from Dr Arthur Azzopardi,” Sant said. “The family reserves the right to take any action it deems fit and necessary according to law in due course.”

Azzopardi also denied the allegation as a “huge lie”, saying he never met Fenech in his life and never collected any money for Vince Muscat. He said he was paid for his legal fees by Muscat’s family and by no one else.