Heart surgeon Alex Manchè, a lawyer and a parish priest from Italy have rallied in support of Italian lawyer Michele Martone who has been trying to get the money he paid up for the Excelsior Hotel for the past 30 years.

Writing on Dr Martone’s website (www.marteitaliano.com) Mr Manche said: “I have known Avvocato Martone for over a year now and have rarely met a nicer man. He is gentle, patient, and always courteous to everyone.

“I have seen him come through a severe illness with fortitude and now he is enjoying a new lease of life.

“I have learnt, over the months, the sad story of his dealings in Malta and I feel he has been very shabbily treated. He is owed a lot for his efforts and investments and wants to get on with his life at 81 years of age.

“His saga extends back over three decades! I feel that with common sense and compassion he should be justly rewarded in the near future.”

The parish priest of Capranica, Antonio Paglia wrote that Dr Martone’s “bad story” is incredible in today’s world. The priest too appeals for common sense and respect for the rights of others to solve this problem.

Professor Vincenzo Baylon said he has known Dr Martone for many years and during these years Dr Martone has been coming to Malta to suffer “unjust offences”.

This is a “shameful story” that should embarrass the Italian government for not defending the rights of an honest Italian citizen who has, with honour and dignity, tried to further Italian interests in Malta. The Maltese authorities owe a lot to this gentleman who has dedicated a good part of his life to Malta, even sacrificing the time he should have given to his family.