When 31-year-old Ephrem* entered his house after a hard day's work he was stunned by a piece of paper he noticed on a coffee table in his living room.

The flyer warned the young Eritrean migrant to get out of the country or be killed and it had not been there when he left the house.

The flyer was split into three parts, two of which were identical, apparently stuck together. Underneath a line of skulls, the first part of the flyer said: "To all of your parasites, so called illegal immigrants, leave our country for good or else blood and steel will do the justice with you and those who welcome you".

The message printed in the second part of the flyer between two lines of skulls and crossbones said: "Illegal immigrant bummers we do not want you in Malta get out or we will start killing you K.K.K."

The flyer is identical to notes that had been distributed at the open centres in Marsa and Ħal Far about two years ago. But they had not appeared since. It has not been established who had circulated the flyers.

The young Eritrean, who came to Malta in September 2006 and was released from a detention centre in 2007, is terrified. He explained that his bag, containing his keys, police identification and a mobile phone, was stolen from him when he was out on Monday morning. He did not report the theft immediately as he had to go to work - he works on commission.

After finishing work, he stopped to pick up the spare key from his friend and walked into his house at about 11p.m. When he walked into his sitting room, he found the flyer.

Fearing for his life, he refused to stay at home and went to sleep at a friend's house. "They entered my house using my keys and I didn't want to sleep there," he said.

On Tuesday, he went to file a report at the Ħamrun police station informing them about the theft and the flyer he found.

"I don't know who could have done this to me. I never had any trouble with anyone," he said.

The head of the Emigrants' Commission, Mgr Philip Calleja confirmed that the man was scared to death after the incident.

"He came to show me a copy of the flyer just after he filed the police report. It is very sad that there are people who still don't understand the hardships and difficulties these immigrants faced," he said.

The police confirmed that the migrant filed a report and said they are investigating the incident.

*The name has been changed because the person asked to remain anonymous, fearing for his life.