A farmer whose land in Ricasoli will be used for the development of the SmartCity project yesterday filed a judicial protest in court calling on the authorities to provide alternative accommodation for him and his cows.

On Thursday, the First Hall of the Civil Court turned down Raymond and Rita Scerri’s request for a warrant of prohibitory injunction to be issued so that they could not be evicted from their government-leased land which will be used for the project, which is of national importance.

Mr and Mrs Scerri filed yet another judicial protest in court yesterday in which they explained that on Thursday evening, after the court rejected his request, the Director of the Land Department went to their farm in an area known as Ta’ Pietru on the outskirts of Zabbar, and forced them out with their animals and all.

They complained that they were not given any compensation for the damage they are suffering and neither were they given any alternative accommodation, not only for themselves, but also for their cattle, which they said cost thousands of liri.

Mr and Mrs Scerri explained that when they approached the Director of Agriculture in order to see where they can take their cattle, even temporarily, they were not told of a place where they could put their cows for the time being, until they find an alternative place. Moreover, they claimed, the Director of Agriculture did not even give them permission to relocate his cattle.

In their protest against the Director of the Lands Department, the Director of Agriculture and the Investments and Information Technology Minister, Mr and Mrs Scerri said they were holding the authorities responsible for the damaged cause by their actions.

Dr Roberto Montalto and Dr Edward Zammit Lewis signed the writ.