A man suspected of having been an intermediary in the 2017 murder in Malta of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia attempted suicide on Tuesday, the Maltese police chief said on Wednesday (July 22nd).

"The indications suggest that Melvin Theuma's injuries were inflicted on him by himself. We did not find any injuries indicating that he had defended himself, and even the bloodstain is concentrated, not showing signs of struggle, "said the police chief

Operated overnight, Melvin Theuma is in critical condition, police said.

Rich businessman denounced 

Melvin Theuma, a taxi driver, was arrested by Maltese police in November 2019 for a money laundering case, but the man then claimed to be involved in the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia as an intermediary.

Having obtained a pardon from the Maltese president on condition of collaborating in the investigation, Melvin Theuma denounced a wealthy Maltese businessman, Jorge Fenech, also arrested in November 2019.

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He told the police that he was the intermediary between Jorge Fenech and three men considered to have executed the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia, who died in the explosion of her car bomb on October 16, 2017.

Resignation of two members of the government 

Jorge Fenech's arrest led to the resignation of Minister of Tourism (and previously Energy) Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri, then Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.

When questioned by the police, Keith Schembri was released without prosecution, while Jorge Fenech named him as the "real sponsor" of the murder.

By digging into the Maltese section of the famous Panama Papers, the journalist had revealed that a Dubai company, 17 Black, had paid 2 million euros to Keith Schembri and Konrad Mizzi for unspecified services. The Daphne Project journalist consortium, which has resumed its investigations, revealed that 17 Black was owned by businessman Jorge Fenech.

This affair caused a political earthquake in the small island by pushing the departure in January of the Prime Minister, Joseph Muscat, accused of having interfered and protected his collaborators in the investigation into the murder of the journalist.

Melvin Theuma, who lives in an area north of the capital Valletta, was under police protection when he tried to end his life.

It was his lawyer who, failing to reach him, alerted the police who discovered Melvin Theuma in a bloodbath.

With AFP

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