Accused of helping people leave illegally

Two Libyan men were yesterday arraigned in court charged with regularly helping people leave Malta illegally.

Ali Fauzi Mohamed Ltetey, 30, who resides in Swieqi and Hiethem Mohamed Shanaisheh, 25, of San Ġwann pleaded not guilty to trafficking in humans on and before Friday. Police Inspectors Geoffrey Azzopardi and Nezren Grixti, prosecuting, filed an application requesting the court to hear the evidence of three Libyans who had stayed on the island beyond the time indicated on their visa.

These men were allegedly assisted by the accused in an attempt to leave Malta illegally by boarding the catamaran to Sicily in a van, together with others, on Friday evening. Defence lawyers Giannella Caruana Curran and Arthur Azzopardi objected to the prosecution's request arguing they were not given enough time to familiarise themselves with their clients' case.

They argued they were not in a position to cross examine the three witnesses as they would have liked to before they were deported.

Magistrate Tonio Micallef Trigona upheld the objection putting off the case for tomorrow when he is expected to hear the testimony of the three witnesses.

The accused were remanded in custody.