A Colombian woman whose parents had sent her to Malta following her sister's murder in a terrorist attack, this morning was granted bail after denying forging documents to renew her residence permit in Malta.

Natalia Escobar, 29, who resides at a Paceville apartment was arraigned before Magistrate Josette Demicoli after being detained at the Identity Malta offices, when it transpired that she had presented false documents. 

Principal Immigration Officer inspector Darren Buhagiar told the court that the woman tried to con the Maltese authorities by posing as an English language student, when in reality she had dropped out. 

During bail submissions, defence lawyer Roberto Montalto told the court that his client came to Malta four years ago, on the instructions of her parents, who feared for her safety in the wake of her sister's murder in a terrorist attack. He said that the defendant had no intention to abscond from Malta, and had a clean criminal record.

On its part the prosecution objected, saying the woman could have sought political asylum. Furthermore it raised concerns that she would change her address in due course, and thus would not be traceable. 

In its decision the court, granted her bailed against a deposit of €1,000 and a personal guarantee of €6,000