Two Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) officials yesterday filed a judicial protest in court complaining that they were not given a promotion when they were qualified and experienced for it.

Lieutenant Colonel Mario Schembri and Major Pierre Vassallo filed their judicial protest against the Prime Minister, Home Affairs and Justice Minister, the Attorney General and the AFM commander.

In the writ, Major Vassallo claimed that he was eligible for a promotion due to his qualifications and seniority but was overlooked in the last batch of promotions that took place on the 17 October 2006.

Furthermore, he said, he was demoted from being in charge of the AFM contracts to a lower rank of second-in-command.

In the protest, Lieutenant Colonel Schembri claimed that even he was demoted from the rank of SO1 Personnel and Administration, Commander Officer AFM, chairman of the AFM board of tenders and AFM communications officer.

The two officials said they put forward their complaint before the AFM commander and filed a judicial protest before the prime minister and AFM Brigadier. They claimed they were informed by the AFM commander that they did not pass security clearance by the National Security Authority and that there was a complaint filed against them.

However, they added, they were not informed about the filed complaint.

In a letter to the Commissioner of Security Service Frank Camilleri, the two men said that their right to a fair hearing in front of the relevant authorities was denied, as they were not given the opportunity to give their version of events.

The officials requested the court to revoke the decision taken by the National Security Authority, AFM commander and Mr Justice Camilleri while giving the applicants the opportunity to defend themselves.

Dr Jose Herrera and Dr Anglu Farrugia signed the writ.