Kurt Bugeja Coster
'They want to leave but cannot'
Three foreign men yesterday admitted to travelling on false documents in an emotional arraignment during which one of the accused knelt down and begged for forgiveness.
Nigerian Ibrahim Mumuni, 22, could not stop weeping into his red handkerchief as he was imprisoned for six months together with Gambian Suleiman Baddie, 26, who on the other hand showed no emotion.
Ivorian Mohammed Sangare, 29, was meanwhile sent to jail for nine months because this was the second time he was caught travelling on false documents.
Inspector Nezren Grixti told Magistrate Anthony Vella they were arrested at the sea passenger terminal on Sunday when they tried boarding the ferry to Sicily using false Italian passports, identification cards and residence permits.
Although he said the accused would plead guilty, lawyer Renzo Porsella Flores explained that they had done all they could to leave the island.
"It is ironic that they were arrested for entering the island but also for trying to leave. They want to leave but they can't," he said.
Magistrate Vella said that although it was indeed very ironic and also very sad, the law was the law and his hands were tied.
"You have to understand that you can't break the law," he continued, as Mr Mumuni turned to the three policemen escorting the foreigners and asked for mercy, only to be turned away. "But if you behave in prison your sentences will be reduced by one third," the magistrate added.
"They don't realise they are shooting themselves in the foot," he said as he turned to Inspector Grixti and Dr Porsella Flores, "I sincerely sympathise with them because it is a big human tragedy. If you're desperate, you're desperate".
The three were living at the open centre in Ħal Far.
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Louise C. Camilleri
Nov 12th 2009, 10:52
I have restrained myself from commenting on ToM, knowing that those fundamentalists who comment their propaganda here ignore all opposing arguments and evidence. Yet I had to comment now, as this is getting outrageous.
First and foremost: ILLEGAL and IRREGULAR are two different things, do NOT mix them. Those who enter a country to apply for asylum are exercising their LEGAL right to do so!
2nd @Louise Vella: You never give any proof what exactly IS this 'damage' these people bring to the country and exactly HOW they turn it into a 'lawless land'. Your propaganda is biased, blind, irrational and simply uneducated.
3rd to all those who call 'them' 'leeches' or whatever. Please have the intelligence not to repeat history. Big mistakes start from small mistakes.
Please, do not belittle the desperation of those who have traveled from one hell to another. You claim you're Christians? ..More like bullies!
anthea doughty
Oct 28th 2009, 08:01
They want to leave but cannot! Am I supposed to feel sorry for them that they cannot continue on their onward ILLEGAL journey to whatever country they want to impose themselves on - no doubt the one I live in let's face it! Fell to his knees and wept, what a load of tripe! As has already been said, they can leave anytime they like back to their countries of origin. They just want a better life at our expense.
Maybe someday everybody would be free in this world?!!! Are you serious? None of us are free, we are all burdened (rightly) by laws and taxes etc. You cannot have a world with no borders or controls in place. Free movement? The burden that the EU countries already faces from our unwelcome and illegal immigrants is already too much - the infrastructure is collapsing, nothing can cope, hospitals, schools, housing needs, social funds, prisons, doctors surgeries, dentists. Record high unemployment! I am not racist but I am against anybody who thinks it is within their rights to break the law and enter the EU illegally and expect me and the rest of you to feed and house them ad infinitum.......
c.caruana
Oct 27th 2009, 16:51
I'm sorry for you guys. Maybe someday the rules will change and everybody would be free in this world. Remember not to stop fighting for your rights, remember the Jah is always in our heart. just dont take care of those who hate you, they will die someday but we will remain!!
V.vella
Oct 27th 2009, 15:27
@ L.Vella'''these people are turning our country into a lawless land.'''
our land is being turned in a lawless land by the people we vote to govern our country and not by the people who are looking for a better life!!! it s easy to blame the poor!!! blame the people who have the power and are doing nothing......JUST TAKING YOU MONEY!!
Burn Down Babylon!!!
Joanne Micallef
Oct 27th 2009, 12:48
Since they shouldn’t have come here in the first place they should make use of the voluntary repatriation scheme and go back to their country.
louise vella
Oct 27th 2009, 12:35
It's not true at all that they cannot leave.
Nigerian Ibrahim Mumuni can go back to Nigeria. Gambian Suleiman Baddie can go back to Gambia and Ivorian Mohammed Sangare can go back to the Cote d'Ivoire.
Now that the government knows their countries of origin, nothing stops it from sending them back - if necessary even before they finish their term in prison. Besides the burden on our country and the damage they do to us, these people are turning our country into a lawless land.
lgalea
Oct 27th 2009, 12:29
Why are Nigerians and Gambians not expelled back to their own countries since they do not qualify for anything and are living like leeches on our taxes? Still hibernating Gonzi?
d. borg
Oct 27th 2009, 11:58
"They want to leave but cannot"
Well, they should'nt have come in the first place.
Stephen Farrugia
Oct 27th 2009, 10:45
They should leave the island but not towards Italy, but back to their country. Desperate my left foot, they want to have it their way and ignore all laws. Well done for the sentence.
Another article to support the distruction of our country but people are waking up and sweeping changes will happen.
Ray Mangion
Oct 27th 2009, 10:27
For heaven`s sake; if foreigners want to leave, why doesn`t the government send them back. It will be so much cheaper than taking them to court and putting them into prison. It is quite obvious that Hal-Far is Hell from Hell. I`m quite sure that a lot of them would agree to leave; so let them.