Declared illegal immigrants

Six Iraqis and eight Somalis were yesterday each conditionally discharged for three months after they pleaded guilty to being in Malta illegally. The 14 immigrants all expressed their intentions to apply for refugee status and Magistrate Miriam Hayman...

Six Iraqis and eight Somalis were yesterday each conditionally discharged for three months after they pleaded guilty to being in Malta illegally.

The 14 immigrants all expressed their intentions to apply for refugee status and Magistrate Miriam Hayman stayed their deportation pending the outcome of the proceedings.

They all pleaded guilty to being in Malta without leave from the immigration authorities and admitted to not having the means to finance their stay.

The Iraqis were all men and their ages ranged from 29 to 36 while the Somalis included three women aged between 19 and 34 and five men aged between 22 and 39.

Sitting between two of the women during the arraignment was a girl carrying a colourful soft toy.

Police Inspector Sandro Zarb prosecuted.

Dr Leo Bencini appeared for the immigrants.

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