Updated | Police take in roundabout ‘trespassers’ for questioning after symbolic protest

Two activists from the Front Harsien ODZ who held a symbolic action on a roundabout to protest at the encroachment on the countryside, have been called in for questioning at the Hamrun police station.

MaltaToday is informed that no charges will be pressed against the activists.

Front spokesperson Michael Briguglio said that he was unaware whether the protestors had obtained a police permit prior to holding the demonstration. It transpired that the group didn't require a permit as the numbers of those present was below 20.

“It was a very spontaneous protest,” he said. “Roundabouts are public property though, so they shouldn’t have required a police permit.”

Police sources confirmed that no charges will be pressed and the two activists were called in "to establish the numbers of those present". Sources also insisted that police presence during the 'picnic' was to control traffic at the busy Marsa road.

One of the activists, Simone Cutajar, told MaltaToday that the police's line of questioning was "amicable and not threatening". They were offered the right to legal assistance. Questions focused mostly on why the symbolic protest was organised and how their event "could have caused an incident".

Front Harsien ODZ carried out the symbolic action to draw the public’s attention to the problem of diminishing natural land in Malta. Activists held the picnic on roundabouts next to a slogan reading ‘Without nature, look where we’ve ended up’.

Malta is, by far, the country with most built-up areas in the EU – 33% compared to the EU average of 5%, according to Eurostat, the EU’s statistical agency.

“Land outside development zones continues to face the constant threat of development through unsustainable projects such as that of Sadeen’s institute,” Front Harsien ODZ said. “We reiterate our stance against development on ODZ land and in favour of protecting the people’s right to nature.”