An 18-year-old Somali man was charged with making use of someone else's passport to try to leave Malta.

Abas Ali Hanishi, who lived in Paola, pleaded not guilty to the possession of someone else's passport and claiming to be that person. He was remanded in custody.

Sources said the young man, who has been living in Malta since he arrived by boat with a group of migrants last year, wanted to go to Denmark where he had relatives. He was caught at the airport's check-in desk.

Police Inspector Edel Mary Camilleri prosecuted.