An illegal immigrant who was repatriated to Malta after he escaped and managed to make it to Brussels was this morning jailed for six months, the minimum allowed by law.

Belo Akilu, 24, who used to workas a house-keeping assistant at the Hilton Malta, was repatriated by the Belgian authorities three days ago.

Legal aid lawyer Renzo Porsella Flores asked the court to take into consideration that Mr Akilu was very sorry for committing the crime, however, his intention was never to land in Malta but to visit relatives on mainland Europe.

Magistrate Lawrence Quintano said that while he appreciates the circumstances in which Mr Akilu found himself, the court could not ignore Malta's international obligations.

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