Passengers on 'hijacked' boat were Egyptian
Sixteen persons who were brought to Malta yesterday after allegedly overpowering the three-man crew of a small Libyan ship were Egyptians, according to the Egyptian media.
The 16 Egyptians, as well as the three Libyan crewmen, are being interrogated by the Maltese police.
Mohamed Abdel-Hakim, the assistant foreign minister responsible for Egyptians abroad, said that the Maltese authorities saved the group from drowning.
The AFM said yesterday that it deployed three patrol boats after the crew of the Benghazi II reported that the ship was being taken over by the passengers.
The Maltese soldiers negotiated the disembarkation of the passengers before boarding and securing the ship, which was then escorted to Malta.
The police are looking into the possibility that the passengers were illegal immigrants, especially as such vessels do not normally carry passengers. Sources said that the Benghazi II comes to Malta regularly to collect fish.
Egyptian migrants are normally repatriated within a matter of weeks.
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Louise Vella
Sep 20th 2010, 06:34
Many questions arise. Are boats coming regularly and legally from Libya (e.g. to transport goods or passengers) checked carefully for stowaway illegal immigrants by the Malta police? If Egypt does the decent thing and takes back its nationals, why are the other countries of Africa not forced to do the same in accordance with the agreements they have with the EU? Are African countries exempt from shouldering their legal responsibilities? Is Malta the only country that has to be politically correct by accepting all that comes from Libya?
j grech
Sep 19th 2010, 23:45
how come the maltese authorities saved the group from drowning, a call came saying they had been taken over by passengers ( hijacked ) not a word about a damaged vessel and it looks in good shape? assistant foreign minister can try flattery and the maltese authority can take it but there is no truth in that statement so dont act the heros
T Camilleri
Sep 19th 2010, 21:36
Just send them all back to their own countries.
Martin Cassar
Sep 19th 2010, 20:55
@ Joe Grima Brussel
Is there one single country on planet earth corruption-free this of course including our little isle and the Vatican? Where man exists corruption does. Corruption and power share same bed and in many cases they may get married for convenience.
J. Spiteri
Sep 19th 2010, 19:03
@ Martin Cassar. Not all Roma immigrants are deported from France; only those that live in makeshift camps and are a burden to the French nation as a whole. Romas that integrate themselves and earn an honest living are surely not evicted. I fully support Mr.Sarkosy for his handling of the situation.
J S Borg
Sep 19th 2010, 19:00
@ Mr Grima Then the Nigerians from the north should go to the south of Nigeria and enjoy the freedom of the south, but while there they should not impose there their beliefs to the southern citizens as they are doing slowly from the north towards the south. Maybe in few years time over here as well.
Joe Grima Brussels
Sep 19th 2010, 20:44
That is true, Mr Borg. Many of the illegal migrants who come to Malta, could go to other, better African countries then theirs. South Africa is not that bad...they managed well in organizing the World Cup, .....and deafening us with the vuvuzela!!!! AND it is less dangerous to head South, than to head North, incuding a dangerous sea crossing. But probably the traffickers promise heaven on earth if they head North.
Sean Grima
Sep 20th 2010, 09:36
your thinking is simplistic!
Robert Dimech
Sep 19th 2010, 18:54
The reason Egyptians are usually repatriated within a few weeks is due to the fact that the Egyptian authorities cooperate fully with the local ones and are willing to take their nationals back immediately identification is made and relevant paperwork concluded. The Nigerian authorities, on the other hand, couldn't care less what happens to their nationals abroad!
Joe Borg
Sep 20th 2010, 13:18
Robert Dimech then they should be put back on the illegal immigrants boats and sent on their way and disregard any do-gooders ignorance and protests.
J. Spiteri
Sep 19th 2010, 18:52
@ J. Grima. No single African nation is rich but none of them is poor either, especially Nigeria. Its the corrupt way of governance that brings poverty to their people!
Joe Grima Brussels
Sep 19th 2010, 20:40
That's more like it, Mr Spiteri. Yes, many African nations have the resources to create a better way of life, IF their governments were not so corrupt! What, do you think attracted the European colonizers top Africa? The deserts, the forests? The thing that 'persuaded' the Belgians to colonize Congo was the discovery of diamonds! With sensible government, many African countries should be much better off.
J. Spiteri
Sep 19th 2010, 18:37
Some new form of passage for illegal immigrants? Vessels that come to Malta on a regular basis, especially from north Africa , should be checked for stowaways or other "passengers" they may be carrying on board. Why are they repatriated "within a matter of weeks"? Do the necessary procedures normally take THAT long?
Martin Cassar
Sep 19th 2010, 18:29
President Sarkozy should learn couple of things from Mr. Stephen Koludrovic ‘wisdom’. The gentleman keyed in: Might one ask why are Egyptians treated differently to Nigerians? They both come from the same continent, With your reasoning Sir, one might also ask why are Roma immigrants [legal and EU full fledged citizens] treated differently? They both come not only from the same continent but from same union.
J S Borg
Sep 19th 2010, 18:07
@ J Grima If I were you I would brush my geography, would you know that Nigeria is a democratic, except for the hot heads of the north, country as well as not so underdeveloped, again except for the north which is being run by ..........
Joe Grima Brussels
Sep 19th 2010, 18:39
Yes Mr Borg, it is obvious that Nigerian refugees come mainly from the North! Who would leave the South? Mr Koludrovic mentioned Nigeria first, not me. I would have opted for other countries, especially those from whom we get most migrants.
Joe Grima Brussels
Sep 19th 2010, 17:55
Mr Koludrovic, I believe that the answer to your questions is: Egypt has different situations to Nigeria. I don't believe that Egypt is as poor a country as Nigeria. What worries me is another fact. Even if these 'pirates' come from the worst country in Africa, if they ask for our help, claiming to be illegal immigrants, refugees, or asylum seekers, we should not give in. If we do, we will be creating a precedent, opening the doors for future such incidents, to the risk of other sailors! Another thing: The ship looks quite seaworthy, and I do not understand how they were saved from drowning. And the ship frequently calls to Malta to load fish. Does it OFFLOAD migrants to make space for these fish?
Stephen Koludrovic
Sep 19th 2010, 17:02
Might one ask why are Egyptians treated differently to Nigerians? They both come from the same continent,
G Falzon
Sep 19th 2010, 18:15
Stupidity par excellence! How do you come to the conclusion that the treatment of illegal immigrants (or the like) depends on the continent of origin?
Albert Scerri
Sep 19th 2010, 18:51
According to your way of reasoning, we'll be hosting 'immigrants' from South Africa next !
Stephen Koludrovic
Sep 20th 2010, 08:00
Hmm. it seems some people misunderstood my double edged question.
There should be no reason why illegal immigrants from Nigeria should have a better treatment than any other ethnic group that illegally enter this country. End of story.