Chinese inmate experiences communication problems

A Chinese woman, detained in prison awaiting judgement for alleged involvement in human trafficking, spent most of her time there in silence due to communication problems, a prison supervisor told a magistrate.

Anna Vella, a supervisor at the female section at Corradino Correctional Facility, explained that when Geng Yan was first taken to prison in October last year she spent days staring into thin air not speaking to anyone.

Magistrate Giovanni Grixti also heard how, after spending a month at Mount Carmel Hospital, Ms Yan still remained silent when she returned to prison.

"I do not know what the problem is exactly but there is a problem with communication. I think her situation is different to that of other inmates as she cannot voice her needs."

Ms Vella added that life in prison would be much more agreeable if all inmates were like Ms Yan and added that Ms Yan's brother visited her regularly and had remained in Malta since the arrest.

She was testifying in the case against Ms Yan, 37, charged with assisting a number of men in their attempt to leave Malta illegally on October 2, 2004.

Ms Yan had filed a guilty plea in November last year but the compilation of evidence continued on instructions by the Attorney General.

During yesterday's sitting, Magistrate Grixti heard submissions on punishment made by the prosecution and the defence.

Police Inspector Mario Haber, prosecuting, said this was a serious case that could have led to death. There had been an increase in the crime and a message had to be sent to society.

In a lengthy submission lawyer Joseph Giglio, for Ms Yan, said his client faced a jail term ranging between six months and 10 years or/and a Lm10,000 fine.

The law maker had given the judging body a wide range so that the punishment could reflect the gravity of the individual case and, in this case, his client's involvement was minimal.

She had merely referred three Chinese students, who had approached her, to someone who would help them get to Italy. This minimal involvement ought to be reflected in the punishment, Dr Giglio said.

Moreover, the judgement should not aim at retribution and, in this case, he reminded the court that his client was of the same nationality as the victims of the recent tragedy that had hit the headlines - in which six Chinese and Mongolians died and another three went missing after allegedly being forced off a boat at gunpoint in the Malta-Sicily strait on Maundy Thursday.

The case was put off for judgement to this morning.