Dom Mintoff’s relatives get €24,200 for expropriated land

Relatives and heirs of the later premier Dom Mintoff were today awarded €24,200 by the Land Arbitration Board for property expropriated from them back in 2007.

On 7 May 2007, the Director of Lands purchased a property in Triq l-Ajkla, Bormla, belonging to the plaintiffs. The building was expropriated for public use.

Architect Carmen Sutton had valued the property at €10,482. However the Mintoff family challenged the valuation, arguing that Architect Edwin Mintoff had established the property to be worth €37,269.

The claim was filed by former premier Dom Mintoff, Daniel Mintoff, Mary Grech, Mary Anne Carbonaro, Raymond Mintoff, Melinda Frendo, Lola Doe and the heirs of Joseph Mintoff , Edwin Mintoff, Lillian  Wismayer and Edith Cachia. Following the death of the former premier, his claim was taken over by his heirs Anna McKenna and Yana Joan Mintoff Bland.

The Land Arbitration Board heard how the building consisted of a casabottega – part residential and part shop. The total area was 24 square metres. Two independent architects were appointed to re-value the building. They concluded that the correct value was €24,200.

Magistrate Giovanni Grixti, ruled that based on the conclusions of the Land Arbitration Board, the value of the expropriated building is of €24,200. Magistrate Grixti ordered the amount to be paid to the plaintiffs.