Sign Up For Card Player's Newsletter And Free Bi-Monthly Online Magazine

Malta Casino Owner And Alleged Murderer Released On Bail

Prosecutors Said He Masterminded Car Bombing Of Journalist

Print-icon
 

A Malta casino owner and alleged murderer was released on bail last week after spending five years in jail on the island. Yorgen Fenech was allegedly involved in the killing of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Fenech is the majority shareholder in the Tumas Group, which owns casinos and hotels on the island as well as holdings in the energy industry. He was arrested in 2019 by the country’s military as he attempted to flee the Mediterranean island on his yacht, according to reports.

On Friday, Fenech was granted release on bail after years of seeking his release and denying that he was involved in the murder. The case has seen numerous pre-trial hearings but has yet to reach the trial stage.

Details On The Case

The case stems from 2017 when Galizia was investigating alleged corruption involving offshore payments from a group controlled by Fenech to ex-prime minister Joseph Muscat, his top aide Keith Schembri, and former energy minister Konrad Mizzi. However, Galizia was killed when a bomb exploded in her car and the scandal eventually brought down the government at the time.

In 2022, two brothers were given 40-year prison sentences for their involvement in the murder and a third man was granted a presidential pardon in 2019 for testimony against Fenech and other alleged accomplices.

Police and prosecutors maintain that Fenech was the mastermind behind the operation. Along with the murder charge, Fenech is charged with membership of a criminal group, corruption, and money laundering. He has pleaded not guilty and denies all the accusations against him.

Malta’s law allows for a suspect to remain in jail only for a certain period of time, which ultimately led to his release. Galizia’s family has expressed frustration with Fenech being let out of jail and the long process in reaching a trial. They took aim at government officials for the continued delay.

“The blame for killers being released on bail without any trial date in sight lies with the prime minister and the minister of justice,” Matthew Caruana Galizia noted on social media. “They had five years to fix the system and did nothing. Failure after failure by the courts. It’s become increasingly clear whose side they’re on. The side of criminals and not regular people.”

As part of his bail agreement, Fenech’s aunt, who now serves as head of the Tumas Group, put up her 15.45% share of the company as collateral. Fenech also paid an €80,000 deposit and €120,000 personal guarantee.

Tumas Group runs the Portomaso Casino, which has previously been home to some major poker tournaments. The company also operates Oracle Casino, as well as Tumas Gaming, which manages Bestplay outlets in Malta.

As a potential flight risk, Fenech is barred from going within 50 meters of the coast or an airport. He also must sign a bail book at a police station daily and stay indoors between 5 p.m. and 11 a.m. If the suspect violates those provisions, his aunt’s shares in the gambling company would be transferred to the government.