Teenage migrant pleads guilty to using another person's passport
A teenage illegal immigrant who tried to leave the island illegally just three days after being released from detention was yesterday given a suspended jail term.
The 17-year-old from Nigeria, who cannot be named because he is a minor, at first did not understand what he was being charged with and became visibly nervous until Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona calmed him down and explained the charges.
Police Inspector Geoffrey Azzopardi said the accused had just been released from detention and tried to use a passport issued to someone else to leave the country. He was on his way to Bologna when he was stopped at the airport on Saturday after being released three days earlier.
After filing a guilty plea, the young man was given a two-year jail term suspended for four years. He was even told what a suspended jail term meant.
Legal aid lawyer Noel Bartolo appeared for the migrant.
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Stephen Koludrovic
Jul 6th 2010, 14:18
If he was east European or from any other non EU country he would have probably ended in jail and then definitely deported.
However just because he is African this law does not seem to apply for them. or else someone might scream that we are racists, and we would not want that do we.
Sean Grima
Jul 7th 2010, 10:09
we pride oursleves in having higher standards than east european countries. we are talking about a minor (17 yrs) - he was found guilty and given a suspended sentence: so the point that the law does not apply does not hold water.
and yes, we do not want to be seen as being racist, as that is immoral.
Louise Vella
Jul 6th 2010, 10:11
Nigeria again! A country rich in natural resources and richer in man-made corruption. Nigerians don't qualify for refugee status. They should all be repatriated by a charter flight. Using someone else's passport! These people live in illegality.
lgalea
Jul 6th 2010, 11:29
WHY ARE NIGERIANS BEING ALLOWED TO REMAIN IN MALTA AND NOT SENT BACK TO NIGERIA?
Sean Grima
Jul 6th 2010, 12:53
first of all, nowhere does it say that he was granted refugee or subsidiary protection status. his application for asylum might have been in the process of being heard, and, possibly, rejected. however, every person has the right to be heard and submit his case.
secondly, one does not decide whether to grant refugee (or other) status simply on the basis of nationality: many war torn african countries are rich in resources, but that does not mean that their citizens may not be persecuted or be in danger.
Stephanie Mamo Portelli
Jul 6th 2010, 14:46
I'm sorry but ... who are you to judge?
Do you know his story?
How can you tell if he qualifies for refugee status just by knowing his country of origin?
Can I assume anything about you just because I know you're Maltese?
Do you really think that it's ok to generalise when a person's life depends on such a decision?
Do you know there are more problems other than poverty and someone may be very rich but threatened for other reasons?
The authorities know what they are doing and one has to go through very strict procedures to be granted refugee status.. Do get informed before you spread misconceptions... Thanks
Joe Borg
Jul 6th 2010, 16:41
Stephanie Mamo Portelli why didn't he stay in another country that he has passed through to come to Malta? Surely his life was not threatened in all of them was it?
Stephanie Mamo Portelli
Jul 6th 2010, 17:08
@ Joe Borg: I can't answer your question for the simple fact that I don't know the person and what he has passed through. I don't want to jump to any conclusions which are not based on facts. However, if he has passed through a safe country and can gain admission into that country, he will not be given protection in Malta (see http://www.jrsmalta.org/Asylum%20in%20Malta%20-%20What%20you%20should%20know.pdf pg.6). The article doesn't state that he has been given protection in Malta.