A Serbian man's bid to join his wife and four-month old child in Malta was thwarted when he was remanded in custody today after being accused in court of having presented false travel documents.

Danilo Beljanski, 33, was arrested by immigration officers after having allegedly submitted a false document to Identity Malta to obtain a residence permit.

Before Magistrate Joseph Mifsud, the defence lawyer explained that Mr Beljanski had obtained the document from a third party and had no reason whatsoever to doubt its authenticity. For this reason, he was pleading not guilty to the charge.

The prosecuting officer replied that Mr Beljanski had never divulged this information while under police interrogation. He would willingly press charges against the third person should Mr Beljanski choose to disclose his identity.

The defence lawyer requested bail pointing out that her client had a wife who was lawfully residing in Malta and that he was also the father of a four-month-old child. However, the prosecution objected to this request citing as a reason the fact that two Red Cross civilian witnesses were still to testify.

The court denied bail and appointed the case for hearing in early May.

Inspector Mario Haber prosecuted.

Lawyer Leontine Calleja was legal aid.