Another group of Tunisian migrants repatriated

Eight Tunisians were repatriated yesterday, the first batch of a group of 71 who arrived on February 1 and have been in detention since.

They were put on a scheduled flight and accompanied by policemen. This follows last week's repatriation of 35 Egyptians who had arrived on the same boat.

A Home Affairs Ministry spokesman said more Tunisians would be repatriated once their documents arrived from Tunis.

The government said it was determined to continue implementing its policy of sending back illegal immigrants who were not eligible for international protection. It said that between 2004 and 2008 a total of 3,037 immigrants were repatriated.

A number of Tunisians staged a violent protest at Lyster Barracks, Ħal Far, last Thursday as they called for immediate repatriation.