A 61-year-old Sudanese man who allegedly helped a group of immigrants attempt an escape three years ago is standing trial.

Adam Hasan Mohammed Khemis, who resided at the Hal Far Open Centre, is pleading not guilty to the allegations made by the prosecution in the bill of indictment – the document that outlines the prosecution’s thesis.

The trial, presided by Mr Justice Michael Mallia, started this morning.

Mr Khemis is represented by legal aid lawyer Malcolm Mifsud.

The prosecution is claiming that Mr Khemis helped a group of migrants leave Malta illegally and get to Italy between May and July 2009.

It is being alleged that Mr Khemis approached a group of men and told them he would be able to make the necessary arrangements to take them to Italy where they could start a new life. Many of the men had arrived in Malta illegally and were living in open centres. They were told they would have to pay €850 each.

On the day of the planned escape Mr Khemis made arrangements for the men to be picked up by a minivan at night.

They were then meant to head to the shore to board a boat and head to Italy. But, after a long drive around the island, the men were taken back to the Hal Far open centre and told there were problems reaching shore.

Lawyers Aaron Bugeja and Giannella Busuttil, from the Attorney General’s office, are prosecuting.