Squatters evicted from Camarata basement

Bird cages, gym equipment, old furniture and a boat were among the items removed from nine basement rooms of a Valletta building that were being used by squatters who were yesterday evicted from the premises, The Times has learned.

Five other rooms in the same building - the Camarata at the lower end of Merchants Street - are expected to be cleared this morning.

The Director General-designate at the Government Property Division, Paul Miruzzi, explained that various basement rooms were being used as stores by people who had no legal title over the premises.

On July 3 they were served with a notice of eviction calling on them to remove their property from the government-owned apartment building, Mr Miruzzi said when contacted.

When officials went to clear the stores, they were surprised that the rooms were being used for a variety of purposes including an aviary, a gym, a games room and a store for old furniture. One room was filled with rubbish and another contained a boat.

Mr Miruzzi said the division ordered the owner of a tuck shop that operated illegally within the building to clear his "business" by this morning, when more stores are expected to be cleared.

The items removed from the building were taken to the division's stores and if no one picks them up within a month they will be confiscated.