Three Malian men who tried to help 25 irregular immigrants leave the country were yesterday each sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.

They asked them for between €1,000 and €1,500 each for the trip by boat

Adama Bagayoko, 23, Abdulaziz Seven, 33, and Musa Sangare, 26, admitted to an attempt at human smuggling.

A businessman, Angelo Bilocca, 34, of Ħamrun, was also allegedly involved and is currently awaiting trial.

The three men had approached the group of migrants and asked them for between €1,000 and €1,500 each for the trip by boat that was due to leave in July, 2010.

Mr Bilocca picked up the immigrants in a van and took them to the area of the Jerma Palace Hotel in Marsascala, where a speedboat was waiting, the court heard.

After some time at sea, the immigrants were told to get off the speedboat and onto a much smaller craft and continue on their way to Sicily.

The boat, however, was too small to fit them all and they refused to board. An argument ensued and they were taken to back to Malta. However, they were denied a refund.

The case came to light when two members of the group, Burme Sidibe, 25, and Dasina Brayou, 29, from the Ivory Coast, reported they had been victims of a scam.

Mr Justice Michael Mallia jailed each of the Malians for two years after considering their early admission.