A Libyan director of a Maltese-registered company was handed a suspended sentence after admitting he presented false documents when importing food items from Libya.

Nureddin Mohammed A. Shaibi, 45, who lives in Gżira was charged before Magistrate Anthony Vella and accused of making false declarations and of using fraudulent documents on behalf of Mayar International.

The Maltese-registered company has its offices in San Ġwann. 

The defence, led by Veronique Dalli, said her client, who had been operating from Malta for 10 years, ended up in trouble after he did not follow a number of recently-introduced procedures which were imposed last June on items being imported from Libya.

She said the accused had a clean criminal record and was not aware he had to get clearance from the Maltese health authorities but instead presented documents from the Libyan health watchdog.

The Libyan businessman pleaded guilty and was handed a two-year prison term suspended for four years.

The company had Joe Sammut as its auditor and up to last month showed Mr Sammut's office as its registered address. It was not, however, among the 60 companies listed when Mr Sammut was arraigned in connection with the setting up of bogus companies to facilitate the granting of residence permits.