Migrant dies in detention centre fight

A Tunisian illegal immigrant who was waiting for a travel document to return home was killed by another immigrant at the Safi detention centre at about12.30 a.m. yesterday.

The slain immigrant was Sliem Balti, 35, who, the police said, was involved in a fight with another Tunisian.

The two were being held along with another 375 illegal immigrants. Some of them are awaiting the outcome of their application for refugee status and others of their appeal after their first application was turned down. The rest are waiting for documents to be sent back home.

Sources said the two Tunisians arrived in Malta on June 22 together with another 15 immigrants. Their boat was intercepted off Xghajra and most had claimed to be Palestinians. Investigations by the police established they were actually Tunisian.

The police were waiting for official documents to be furnished through the embassy so the migrants could be repatriated.

The sources said a heated argument broke out between the two on Monday afternoon and after some time it appeared to have calmed down.

But at night, as the victim was asleep, a 44-year-old Tunisian allegedly wielded a metal leg of a bed and repeatedly struck the other on the head. The man died in his sleep.

The incident happened in full view of a number of illegal immigrants.

The alleged assailant is expected to be charged in court today.

Magistrate Joe Cassar appointed a number of court experts, including Mario Scerri, to assist in the inquiry.

The case is being investigated by Inspector Christopher Pullicino of the criminal investigation department and by district Inspector Walter Spiteri.