An Albanian woman who continued to study in Malta after her visa expired, was today given the chance to graduate before a Court decides whether she should be deported.

Ledia Bimbli, 24, is due to graduate from the University of Malta in two weeks’ time.

The woman was allegedly working illegally for Diamonds International and charges were filed against the owner.

Defence lawyer Pio Valletta told Magistrate Gabriella Vella that if the Managing Director of Diamonds International, Paul Fenech, immediately admitted to illegally employing her, she would be deported and thus miss her graduation.

Magistrate Gabriella Vella told him that if his client registered a guilty plea then she could postpone judgement long enough for the woman to graduate, and then be deported.

Dr Valletta agreed, and in submissions on punishment told the court that his client as the legal representative of the company admitted to his guilt. In such a large company it was impossible to know every minor detail about the 200 employees, he said.

Police Inspector Nezren Grixti said that he wanted to be practical . Once Mr Fenech had admitted to the charges, he asked for minimum punishment. Judgement was postponed.