Jail for woman who helped in human trafficking operation

A Chinese woman, who was detained in prison for six silent months due to communication problems while awaiting judgement for her involvement in human trafficking, will be spending another two years in jail after a magistrate yesterday sentenced her to two-and-a-half years.

Magistrate Giovanni Grixti heard how 37-year-old Geng Yan had helped three Chinese men by introducing them to people who could help them make the clandestine trip to Sicily on October 2, 2004.

Ms Yan was paid $400 from each of the men for her involvement and had made arrangements for the men to stay in a Bugibba apartment while awaiting their trip. Due to a fault in the boat the men spent a week lost at sea.

In November, Ms Yan had filed an application in which she confessed to conspiracy and assisting the three men but the magistrate continued hearing evidence on the Attorney General's request.

She faced a jail term ranging from six months to five years and/or a Lm10,000 fine. Among other witnesses, Magistrate Grixti heard Lieutenant James Louis Grech, from the army's maritime squadron, explain that on October 7, 2004 he had been ordered to intercept the speed boat Brave Heart that was being towed by another boat called Ave Maria.

When he arrived no one was aboard the speed boat and he learnt that six men - a Maltese, three Chinese and two Libyans - had been transferred onto the towing boat. The officer said the men seemed to be extremely weak and one of the Chinese said he had been eating toothpaste as there was no food on board.

On handing down judgement, the magistrate noted that Ms Yan had a clean criminal record and he took note of the circumstances of the case.

The magistrate also noted that while in jail, where she had been since she was arrested in October last year, Ms Yan spent most of her time in silence due to communication problems.

On Wednesday Anna Vella, a supervisor at the female section of Corradino Correctional Facility, explained that when Ms Yan was first taken to prison she spent days staring into thin air without speaking to anyone.

After a month at Mount Carmel Hospital, Ms Yan returned to prison and still remained silent.

Police Inspector Mario Haber prosecuted.

Dr Joseph Giglio appeared for Ms Yan.