A Syrian and Malian were jailed for six months, suspended for two years after pleading guilty to carrying forged travel documents in two separate cases.

Mohamad Hannan, 31, of Damascus, was accused of making use of a false Greek residence permit.

Arrested on Thursday following police investigations, it is understood that the document allowed him to live in any country that was part of Schengen, since Greece was one of its members.

During his arraignment, defence lawyer José Herrera pointed out that Mr Hannan was a Kurd and had escaped persecution in his home country.

In a similar case, Tati Dabo, 27, was charged with trying to leave Malta using a forged Italian passport and residence permit. He was caught on Thursday at the airport.

Inspector Mario Haber prosecuted against both the accused and Magistrate Jacqueline Padovani presided over the arraignments. Mr Dabo was represented by lawyer Noel Bartolo.

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