Prison phone investigation raises allegations of possible murder plot

Police are investigating a suspected murder plot involving inmates at Corradino Correctional Facility, following the discovery of three mobile phones during searches of prison cells, according to newspaper KullĦadd

MaltaToday had been told that the phones were found in the cells of Robert Agius, known as Tal-Maksar, George Degiorgio, known as iċ-Ċiniż, and Italian national Damiano Torrisi.

Police are investigating Agius for attempting to coordinate illegal activities with Torrisi, both of whom were placed in Division 11.

The newspaper, citing sources close to the investigation, reported allegations of a possible murder plot that could have been carried out in the coming days. However, the nature of the alleged activities remains unclear, and the claims have not been verified.

"There is no certainty, but they were planning something big," sources told KullĦadd.

Three prisoners questioned

Home Affairs Minister Glenn Bedingfield confirmed on Saturday that three mobile phones had been discovered following searches of prison cells, with two prisoners being questioned by police and a third expected to be investigated.

The phones were found in cells belonging to Agius, Degiorgio, and Torrisi.

Agius and Torrisi, who are both held in Division 11, were immediately taken to Police Headquarters for questioning.

Further searches were carried out in Divisions 2 and 5, with a mobile phone reportedly seized from Degiorgio's cell. He was also then taken for questioning.

Criminal backgrounds

Robert Agius is serving a life sentence following his conviction for involvement in the murder of lawyer Carmel Chircop and for supplying the bomb used to assassinate journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

George Degiorgio is also serving a life sentence for the murder of Chircop, alongside a 40-year prison sentence for his involvement in Caruana Galizia's assassination.

Meanwhile, Torrisi, a Sicilian national, is serving a five-year prison sentence over an armed robbery at a shop in Rabat, during which the 66-year-old shop owner was injured. His sentence was confirmed last June.