Raymond Aquilina, Domenico Savio Spiteri, Terra Mediterranean Ltd and Spiteri Holdings Ltd are suing Malta Today journalist Matthew Vella and editor Saviour Balzan claiming the article, entitled Conmen in cocky land deals scam that was published on 6 June, was damaging to their reputation.

They said the article contained facts that aimed to ridicule them or bring on public disdain. They demanded Mr Vella and Mr Balzan pay a sum of not more than Lm5,000 in damages.

Dr Henry Antoncich and Dr Tonio Azzopardi appeared for the complainants.