An Eritrean teenager who yesterday presented false documents to immigration officers at Malta Airport following his arrival from Rome was remanded in custody after his arraignment this morning. 

The 16 year-old-boy had allegedly boarded a flight from Fiumicino to Malta with a counterfeit Aliens Travel Document and a fake Italian residence permit, the court was told.

The teenager was assisted by an interpreter who translated the proceedings from English to the Tigrinya language, the native tongue of the accused.

Before registering his reply to the charges, the accused and his lawyer communicated briefly by means of the interpreter. In the course of this conversation which lasted a few minutes, it became known that the accused was not aware of the illegality of his actions. He told his lawyer that he had not been aware that the travel documents were false.

The defence explained how in Italy there is apparently a whole racket involving the sale of false travel documents. This boy had allegedly paid for the documents believing that they granted him right of access to a foreign country, the defence declared.

Questioned by Magistrate Gabriella Vella, the accused stated that he was under age and was too young to sufficiently understand the gravity of the charges he was facing. Consequently the boy pleaded not guilty. However, since he has no fixed residence and no family ties in Malta, no request for bail was made.  

Inspector Mario Haber prosecuted.

Lawyer Victor Bugeja was legal aid.