The following is a statement by Repubblika issued earlier today:
The state’s witness, Melvyn Theuma, yesterday in court gave more reasons that make one doubt how much the declarations by the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party should be believed. From yesterday’s evidence, Chris Cardona seems to be heavily implicated in Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder. Melvyn Theuma said he knows of an intermediary who acted and paid on behalf of Chris Cardona. And Melvyn Theuma also said that he knows of the threats made by Chris Cardona’s colleague and friend, David Gatt, to help him avoid being implicated in this killing.
Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty. However, we must not forget the extents to which the impunity of Chris Cardona has reached, just like the impunity of Keith Schembri; both were arrested for a few hours last December and freed as though nothing had happened. This leads us to maintain that Cardona’s declarations are not proof of innocence. They are proof that the two men are still under the protection of the government and act as a mafia – a state within a state – and nobody can do anything against them.
We repeat, because it is important that no one forgets, that Chris Cardona is the Deputy Leader of the Partit Laburista. Holding a position of responsibility within this party seems to mean that one is provided protection and immunity from the laws of the country.
Chris Cardona’s denials are not at all convincing. Melyvn Theuma’s evidence is yet another of the many clues that we already knew about: Chris Cardona was caught lying more than once about his relationship with Alfred Degiorgio (il-Fulu). Cardona’s business partner, David Gatt was accused (and found innocent) of the same robbery as Vince Muscat (il-Koħħu). Chris Cardona’s number was the only telephone number found on a burner phone that was thrown away from the shore where the potato shed, the quarters of the assassins accused of murdering Daphne Caruana Galizia, was situated.
This apart from other clues that the police may have, which we still know nothing about.
Moreover, we have to highlight the fact that Melvyn Theuma is not just any witness. He is a witness entrusted by the state. Melvyn Theuma has the choice between saying the truth in order to help the prosecutor throw Alfred and George DeGiorgio, Vince Muscat and Yorgen Fenech in prison for the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia, or going to prison to pay for what he has already admitted to having done.
Robert Abela and Chris Fearne (the only two Labour Party officials holding a position that is of the same or of a higher rank than Cardona’s) yesterday addressed a press conference and did not even mention the fact that their colleague is involved in a witness’s testimony stating that he ordered and paid for the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia. They closed their eyes to this as though Chris Cardona was accused of something trivial, such as parking badly or is late in paying up his taxes.
This silence, this ‘omertà’ is also mafia protection. And when this type of mafia protection is coming from the two highest-ranking ministers in government, we have to acknowledge that in May 2020, our country is still in the state it was in December 2019: a mafia state.
Prime Minister Robert Abela told us that we are cured enough of COVID-19 to be able to do all we could do before, except giving shelter to immigrants caught in the sea and meeting in large groups.
We agree that this is not the time for concerts or mass amusements.
But we warn that at some point we will have to go back to the streets and squares to remind everyone that we will not tolerate the impunity of these killers and thieves. If Robert Abela keeps his duty in mind, he should propose that Chris Cardona is expelled from the Partit Laburista as from today.
Meanwhile, we once again appeal to the Police, the Attorney General and the Magistrature and remind them that their duty is not to protect Robert Abela’s reputation. Their duty is to deliver justice to those who obey the law by bringing to justice whoever robs and kills.