The Lands Authority has taken over Fort Benghajsa, soon after a court ruled that squatters residing there needed to move out, confirming the government's claim over the property and rejecting a request to stop their eviction.

The ruling, delivered by Madam Justice Audrey Demicoli on Thursday, dismissed an injunction filed by Luigi Vella and others against the Lands Authority, which sought to prevent their removal from Plot 2B at Fort Bengħajsa, Birżebbuġa.

Soon after the court ruling, representatives of the Lands Authority, the Directorate of Manufacturing and Services, Animal Welfare, Transport Malta, the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage (SCH) and the police went on site to take over the premises.

Locks were changed and an inventory of the items inside the fort was compiled.

A government statement said that during the operation, some of the squatters identified themselves and gave access to the Lands Authority personnel to take photos and compile the inventory. These persons committed themselves to remove personal items and, unless they do so, they will be confiscated by the authority.

The authority will seal the premises and see that all the squatters leave as established by the courts. At the same time, there are plans to rehabilitate the fortress and give it back for public use.

The SCH is identifying which structures were added to the original building to return the fortress to what it was before it was occupied.