Three face extradition to Italy

A Maltese man and two Chinese nationals yesterday were arraigned in court to face extradition proceedings.

Carmelo Borg, 27, of Rabat, who lives in St Paul's Bay, Wei Wang, a 30-year-old woman living in Swieqi, and Lin Yi, 30, who is currently in custody after he was charged with conspiracy in human trafficking and falsifying his own passport, were arraigned by Inspectors Christopher Pullicino and Mario Haber.

The prosecution informed the court, presided over by Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna, that the three were wanted in Italy to face charges of human trafficking and participating in a criminal organisation.

This was the first such arraignment since Malta joined the European Union. It followed the issue of a European arrest warrant by the Modica tribunal against the three. They are wanted in connection with the Maundy Thursday drowning of six Chinese and Mongolian illegal immigrants some 15 miles off Sicily, when they were forced off a boat that allegedly left from Malta.

The lawyers representing Borg and Wei requested bail, but the prosecution argued that the two had every reason to abscond as they faced a jail term ranging from seven to 16 years, besides a €16,000 fine for each person trafficked.

Senior Counsel to the Republic Donatella Frendo Dimech, who assisted the prosecution, argued that the three were accused of forming part of a network of illegal immigration and knew how to outwit the system and escape.

Dr Josè Herrera, who appeared for Borg, argued that his client knew he was being investigated - parliamentary questions had been tabled on his behalf to check whether extradition requests had been made for him. Yet Borg stayed in Malta, so there was no reason to assume he would leave now. Dr Herrera said all his client did was "give them a lift in his van and took them to the harbour".

Bail was refused. None of the accused consented to extradition. The case has been postponed to September 19.

Dr Joseph Giglio appeared for Yi, Dr Herrera and Dr Edward Zammit Lewis for Borg. Dr Patrick Valentino was appointed legal aid for Wang.