Land the government gave Mark Gaffarena as part of a controversial expropriation deal on a Valletta property is worth at least double, according to conservative estimates by independent architects.

This newspaper last Sunday revealed that the government had paid €1.65 million for half the ownership of a property in Old Mint Street – Mr Gaffarena was paid €516,390 in cash and given land valued at just over €1 million.

However, an independent assessment by experienced architects commissioned by this newspaper shows the parcels of land given to Mr Gaffarena were exceedingly undervalued. Their assessment increased the value of the land by at least another €1.6 million, doubling the value of the payment he got.

Architects said they had never seen government expropriating property bit by bit, in separate contracts with the same seller. They also said it was unheard of for such a deal to happen so quickly.

Parliamentary Secretary Michael Falzon defended the negotiations carried out by the government property division, saying the deal was only news because of Mr Gaffarena’s surname. The man, who has multiple business interests, has a controversial track record.

Dr Falzon told this newspaper the government wanted to own at least part of the property to avoid having its government departments evicted by 2028. He referred to a legal letter received threatening eviction, which Times of Malta is revealing.