48 illegal immigrants to be deported

A group of 48 men, including 29 Egyptians, 14 Palestinians and five Iraqis, were yesterday given a six-month jail term suspended for a year for landing in Malta illegally last Monday.

The men, aged between 17 and 46, pleaded guilty to being in Malta without leave by the immigration authorities.

However, three of the Iraqi men requested refugee status on the grounds that once they were members of the armed forces of Iraq, repatriation would have negative political repercussions on them.

Magistrate Giovanni Grixti ruled that the deportation order issued against the three Iraqis would not be executed until the refugee status proceedings were concluded. Meanwhile, the other 45 men will be deported.

Police Inspector Sandro Zarb prosecuted.

Dr Leon Bencini appeared for the men.