Book publishers and distributors Dom Communication Ltd filed a judicial protest calling on the organisers of the Malta Book Festival 2016 to reconsider its decision to withdraw the company’s permit to participate in the festival.

The company said it was originally granted a permit but this was later withdrawn after two other companies - Sierra Publications Ltd and Prime Distributors Ltd, filed a judicial protest after they were not allowed to take part.

Dom Communications said the organisers claimed that the two companies belonged to Dom Communications.

In its protest, Dom Communications noted that the real reason behind the withdrawal of its permit and the withholding of that of the other two companies had been stated to the Times of Malta by executive chairman Mark Camilleri.

This was that the companies were related to “a convicted fraudster who has made quite a name for himself with his illegal and irregular practices in the book industry".

It was clear that Mr Camilleri had been referring to Josef Grech, who did not hold an executive or official role with any of the three societies, Dom Communications said.

The company backed up this claim with a document from the Registrar of Companies showing Doreen Spiteri as being the sole owner of the company.

It noted that it had already taken part in the last two editions of the Malta Book Festival and there was no valid reason for its permit to be withdrawn.

It held the festival responsible for damages.

The protest was signed by lawyer Mark A. Mifsud Cutajar and legal procurator Marie Claire Bartolo.