Edwin ‘Il-Ġojja’ Brincat, the close confidante of state witness Melvin Theuma whose relationship with Lawrence Cutajar and potential bribes is raising suspicions, spoke to the former Police Commissioner before testifying in the police’s case against Yorgen Fenech over the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Chief Homicide Inspector Keith Arnaud confirmed the communication following a question by Fenech’s lawyer Charles Mercieca, saying this happened sometime in June 2020. Brincat testified on 15th June 2020.

“That seems to be the case,” Arnaud says.

Mercieca told the court that data analysis will show that they spoke on 14th June 2020. He added that Cutajar told Brincat how to testify in the case.

Despite the revelation, which Arnaud says he’s been aware of since July, neither Brincat or Cutajar have been arrested or questioned.

Brincat is a mutual acquaintance of Cutajar and Theuma, and Cutajar is under investigation for leaking information to Theuma, via Brincat, about the police investigation into the murder.

Fenech’s lawyers claim Edwin Brincat (Il-Ġojja) had paid €30,000 to the then police commissioner, with the implication being that Theuma had bribed Cutajar to secure a pardon. The claim appears on recently secured tapes.

Today, Mercieca also said that Cutajar had been taking bribes from Brincat from when Cutajar was stationed in Marsa.

Cutajar has confirmed under oath that he has known Brincat for 30 years.

Arnaud revealed these claims are all under investigation.

Cutajar seems to have been in the building when Brincat was brought in for questioning in November 2019 and June 2020. However, Arnaud insists he was not present for the interrogation.