A Tunisian migrant who escaped from Hal Far detention centre and was re-arrested yesterday, has been jailed for two years.

Hamdi Nehmawi, 23, - who was awaiting repatriation - told a court that he had escaped because he did not  know what the future held for him and because the Commission for Refugees did not help him.

Aided by an interpreter, he said:

“I'm a young man who wants a decent life like others.”

Mr Nehmawi said he had been held in a room with four other men. “I see four walls everyday and speak to no one,” he said.

Police Inspector Arthur Mercieca said the accused told him he had heard Somali migrants cutting an iron bar with a saw and they enticed him to go with them and escape.

The Somalis were caught immediately they made their escape.

 

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