In a dramatic turn of events, it has been revealed that Keith Schembri’s interactions with Yorgen Fenech, a key figure in a corruption investigation, included reassuring messages hours before Fenech’s arrest. Schembri, a prominent figure in Maltese politics, told Fenech to “Stay Calm” and assured him that “Nothing will happen” in a conversation the day before his arrest. These messages were exposed in a constitutional case filed by Fenech’s lawyers, who alleged that his continued arrest violates his human rights.
The prosecution argued that Fenech posed a flight risk, citing messages that showed he had been planning to escape and relocate to the US with his family. In fact, Fenech’s brother Franco advised him to “Get out,” while his uncle Ray cautioned him to be careful with credit cards and urged him to “try and gain time”. These messages suggest that Fenech was actively planning his escape and had been doing so for some time, having even looked into properties and schools for his children in the US nearly a year before his eventual arrest.
The revelation of Schembri’s messages has raised questions about the extent of his involvement in Fenech’s affairs and whether he was attempting to provide reassurance or protection. Fenech remains in custody at the Corradino Correctional Facility, where he has been held since November 2019. The case continues to unfold, with significant implications for those involved in Malta’s political and judicial landscape.
