Somali files second request for compensation
A Somali who spent a year in preventive arrest but was then found not guilty of importing Khat from London this morning filed a second request for compensation in the Constitutional Court after a judicial protest he filed last year was thrown out a few days ago.
Ten kilogrammes of khat had been found in the luggage of Aweys Maani Khayre at the airport in May 2008. He claimed he brought the khat to celebrate his birthday with family and friends and was not aware it was illegal in Malta.
The plant, which has been chewed by east Africans for hundreds of years and plays a big part in the social lives of both men and women, is banned across America, Canada and most of Europe. It is legal in Britain.
The Somali had originally been found guilty and he jailed for six months. However, he was immediately freed as he had already served more than the jail term in preventative arrest.
On appeal, he was found not guilty.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
Petrol price up 6c
In Discussion
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Gozo tunnel could take 5-7 years to...
CABS remote controlled aircraft shot...
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Joseph Calleja condemns portrayal of...
Updated: Labour would give...
CABS drone shot down
Second group of migrants arrives
Adrian Vassallo in scathing...
13 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Alastair Ives
Feb 18th 2011, 13:25
What is the relevance of this guy being from Somalia? Why is it the leading word in both headline and article?
In any event, if he has been falsely imprisoned then he quite obviously deserves compensation just like anyone else.
Sean Grima
Jul 29th 2010, 11:35
the man was acquitted after spending months in prison for a non-crime. his skin colour and ethnicity should make no difference.
DVella
Jul 27th 2010, 13:56
10 Kilogrammes of Khat to celebrate his birthday with his friends and family . . . . ? (!) He must have a very large family and a lot of friends (and they're all in Malta) to get through an amount of such industrial proportions ! ! Igbed is-sieq l-ohra sahib!!!!
On the other hand, have the relevant laws been changed to include this narcotic amongst the list of illegal substances????
Joseph Camenzuli
Jul 27th 2010, 13:55
"The plant, which has been chewed by east Africans for hundreds of years and plays a big part in the social lives of both men and women, is banned across America, Canada and most of Europe."
Has it been banned in Malta and if not why? Nice social culture getting drugged.
T Camilleri
Jul 27th 2010, 13:53
Throw him and his protest out. What does this somali think he is. Such arrogance is typical with them and is seen every day.
Ramon Casha
Jul 27th 2010, 16:17
He thinks he is a person found innocent by the Maltese courts, yet imprisoned for a year nonetheless.
Mario Gauci
Jul 27th 2010, 13:30
Can the proper authorities please let us know if Khat is indeed illegal in Malta.
colin stanley
Jul 27th 2010, 13:06
GIVE HIM THE MONEY AND KEEP HIM HERE. !!!!!!
s.koludrovic
Jul 27th 2010, 16:22
Lol how can we keep him here, if he,s a Londoner and British.
COLIN STANLEY
Jul 27th 2010, 19:04
Oh a somali Londoner !! that's nice, my father being a proper English Londoner, will be rolling in his grave.
Sean Grima
Jul 29th 2010, 11:36
ah so there are "proper" english londoners? do they do DNA tests to determine them?
Alfred Busuttil
Jul 29th 2010, 12:55
Profs Sean Grima since when according to your logic someone from somalia becomes a natural Londoner?
D Phillips
Jul 29th 2010, 14:19
Alfred,
Please feel free to define a "natural" londoner or indeed for that matter a "natural" Maltese.
Thanks