People in positions of power frequently visited murder suspect Yorgen Fenech at his Ħaż-Żebbuġ ranch, Keith Schembri has testified.

“Yorgen was well loved… businesspeople, politicians and police officers would all visit his ranch,” Schembri said. “There were a lot of people.”

Fenech’s ranch has featured prominently throughout the case ands emerged a location at which the businessman conducted private informal meetings with powerful people.

“Sometimes we were alone, sometimes we weren’t – it was a basic friendship but a good one,” Schembri said about his visits to Fenech’s ranch.

The former OPM chief of staff recounted how he and Fenech were good friends, with their friendship stretching back to their childhood days. Schembri and Fenech used to go on holiday together and Fenech once visited Schembri’s house to cook a meal on Boxing Day a few years ago.

Schembri is currently testifying in the case against Fenech, who has been charged with conspiring to assassinate journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. Since his arrest in November 2019, Fenech has implicated Schembri in the murder.

You can follow the proceedings live here.