Court decides in favour of Abelas on Xewkija hotel

The Court in Gozo has lifted a temporary injunction on development works being done by Prime Minister Robert Abela and his wife Lydia, permitting them to continue their project to develop a traditional farmhouse in Xewkija into a boutique hotel.

The issue involved the dismantling of a common wall that their neighbour, Carmel Attard, claimed to be his. A few weeks ago, the Court, following a complaint filed by Attard, ordered the Abelas to stop all work.

Now, the Court has ruled that the 72-year-old neighbour did not prove ownership of the wall, and there was no longer any reason to stop the ongoing work by the Abelas.

The Court also criticised Attard for trying to stop the prime minister from continuing with his business venture, as he had already submitted the same request, which the Court had denied.

Magistrate Simone Grech accused Attard of forum shopping.

Ongoing works on the prime minister’s boutique hotel in Gozo.

The Abelas acquired their 500-square-metre Gozitan farmhouse in 2012 for €268,000 and left it unrestored until a few years ago.

Upon becoming prime minister, Abela received a government grant through the Irrestawra Darek Scheme to restore traditional dwellings. The scheme is for residential properties, not business ventures.

In 2023, Lydia Abela submitted a development application to convert the farmhouse into a boutique hotel for 16 guests after the couple purchased additional land adjacent to their property for an extra €315,000.

Works have now resumed.

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11 Comments
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El Ninho
El Ninho
8 days ago

So these deadbeats also made sure to benefit from a grant in fraudulent circumstances!

S. Camilleri
S. Camilleri
7 days ago
Reply to  El Ninho

A meritorious leader indeed. Leads a bunch of crooks by example.

Bamboccu
Bamboccu
8 days ago

€583,000.00 minn fejn gew ?
Dawn plus l-eluf biex izomm il yatch…
Pero mhux BISS.
Dikjarazzjoni tal ASSI?
Fejn Hu l Gahan LABORIST li jghid li Dott Grech evazur tat taxxi??

M.Galea
M.Galea
8 days ago

Jekk tmur l qorti vittma ta kostruzzjoni ha tohrog doppju vittma! Kullhadd imdahhal f dan is-settur inkluz avukati w magistrati w mhalfin!

P montebello
P montebello
7 days ago

Li skema irrestawra darek kif tahdem? Billi min ihallas it taxxi ikisser darhru biex haddiehor jiehu l flus biex jirranga il business tieghu? Dan mhux frodi? U x ser jaghmel id-dipartiment koncernat??? Tghid mhux ser jiehu passi biex jigbor il flus lura?

S. Camilleri
S. Camilleri
7 days ago

No wonder he cannot stand the investigative journalism of The Shift. When exposed he rants, but when The Shift is slandered, unlike him, it sues.

Ray Galea
Ray Galea
7 days ago

No wonder they voted agains the introduction of the unexplained wealth bill !!

Greed
Greed
7 days ago
Reply to  Ray Galea

And also protected family from disclosing cash and assets

Greed
Greed
7 days ago

Na you don’t say, the court siding with robber I’m so shocked?

Gerald Goodwin
Gerald Goodwin
6 days ago

So what is so surprising here, we all knew this would eventually happen, with us minions being kicked aside again

Toni Borg
Toni Borg
6 days ago

“Upon becoming prime minister, Abela received a government grant through the Irrestawra Darek Scheme to restore traditional dwellings. The scheme is for residential properties”.. and everyone thought Joseph Muscat was corrupt!!! Not that he wasn’t but it seems that Abela is trying to beat him at his own game!

Last edited 6 days ago by Toni Borg

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