The fact that all properties in the Gaffarena expropriation deal - uncovered by Times of Malta - were in strategic areas confirmed that they were selected by the beneficiary, casting a strong suspicion of corruption, justice shadow minister Jason Azzopardi said this morning.

In the controversial deal, the government paid €1.65 million for half ownership of a property in Old Mint Street, Valletta that Mr Gaffarena bought for a fraction of the price just weeks earlier.

Mr Gaffarena made a profit of €685,000 in less than two months as well as acquiring parcels of land in exchange measuring more than 10 football pitches in total.

According to independent architects, this land was worth at least double the value estimated by government architects.

Dr Azzopardi pointed out during a news conference held in front of two properties given to Mr Gaffarena in Bahar ic-Caghaq, that the fact that these properties were adjacent to one another, further increased their value.

Environment shadow minister Marthese Portelli noted that the total area of land in Bahar ic-Caghaq was 5,400 metres square. The total area of all the property given to Mr Gaffarena, excluding that in Sliema, was the equivalent of  seven times the Ta’ Qali football ground.

She noted that it was not true that the government needed the Old Mint Street property, so this stinky deal was unnecessary.

Ryan Callus said the Prime Minister should realise he was no longer a journalist but was now a Prime Minister who should reply to questions being raised.

The scandal, he said, happened within the Land Department which was part ofthe OPM making the investigation called by the government ironic since Castille  would be investigating Castille.

The investigation, he said, should be carried out by the Auditor General and the Prime Minister should shoulder responsibility for the scandal.