SMS from a cabin cruiser triggered bomb that killed Daphne Caruana Galizia

The bomb that blew up Daphne Caruana Galizia was triggered by an SMS sent from a cabin cruiser out at sea, MaltaToday has learnt.

George Degiorgio, known as Ic-Ciniz, is believed to have sent the fatal SMS after allegedly receiving the signal from his brother Alfred, known as il-Fulu, who acted as a spotter in Bidnija, sources close to the investigation said.

The two men and Vincent Muscat, known as il-Kohhu, were yesterday charged with the murder of the journalist on October 16.

The three are known criminals with a string of high profile crimes to their name.

The sources said the bomb was placed inside the car below the driver seat in the early hours of October 16, possibly by Alfred Degiorgio. The car had been parked in the alleyway that leads to Caruana Galizia’s house in Bidnija.

An electronic device that takes a sim card – not a mobile phone – was attached to the bomb and served as the trigger.

Sources said that after placing the bomb, Alfred Degiorgio informed his accomplice of his actions. It is understood that at the same time the electronic device attached to the bomb and a mobile phone that would later be used to send the SMS were switched on.

These electronic signals helped investigators piece together the actions of the criminals in the hours leading to the fatal bombing.

Sources said Alfred Degiorgio acted as a spotter in the environs of Bidnija to monitor Caruana Galizia’s movements.

At around 3pm on October 16, Alfred Degiorgio placed a call to his brother, who was out at sea on his cabin cruiser. George Degiorgio then sent the SMS from another mobile phone, triggering the bomb that killed Caruana Galizia and destroyed her car.

All electronic devices used in the crime, disappeared from the mobile communications network after the crime. It is unclear whether mobile phones and electronic devices found under the sea in Marsa were the same ones used in the crime.

The cabin cruiser, which belongs to George Degiorgio, was found berthed alongside the quay in Marsa when the police and army raided the ex-potato shed last Monday, arresting the brothers and Muscat.

Sources said the bomb was made of TNT and not Semtex and could have possibly been manufactured in Malta.