A 33-year-old Indian businessman who was arrested at the airport, allegedly in possession of counterfeit euros with a face value of €116,200, is claiming he was not aware the money was fake.

Police Inspector Ian Abdilla said this was the largest recorded amount of counterfeit money ever seized by the police. They found 1,159 notes of €100 each and 20 of €50, he said.

Ravi Kumar, who said he imported leather goods to Malta, pleaded not guilty to possession of counterfeit money on and before Monday and insisted he was not aware the cash was fake. Mr Abdilla objected to bail being granted to the accused. Magistrate Audrey Demicoli remanded Mr Kumar in custody after hearing that he had no fixed address in Malta.

Lawyer Noel Bartolo objected to his appointment as legal aid to Mr Kumar, arguing that, being a businessman, he had the money to appoint a lawyer. Mr Kumar declared under oath that could not afford to hire a lawyer.

The magistrate ordered that a copy of the records of the case be sent to the Justice Minister for direction in future when similar objections were raised by legal aid lawyers.

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