An illegal immigrant who managed to escape from Malta and made it to Germany ended up back in a Maltese court this morning.

Harun Nasir Iddris, from Togo left Malta on a flight to Germany on November 20 and was arrested by German officials who found he had made use of a false Italian passport.

Legal Aid lawyer Martin Fenech this morning contested his arrest in Malta and said the accused had already undergone proceedings in Germany and had been fined €500.

Police Inspector Geoffrey Azzopardi said that was just an administrative fine, which covered the costs of the return flight.

Dr Fenech said the accused had been fined by a judicial authority and he could not be tried twice for the same crime within the European Union.

Inspector Azzopardi said he had arrested Mr Iddris because he had left Malta using a false passport, a crime which was punishable by a prison term.

Magistrate Audrey Demicli after considering the arguments, ruled that the arrest was valid.

Mr Iddris pleaded not guilty to possessing a false passport and using it. He was remanded in custody.