Two Ukrainian women who advertised sexual services on the internet and ran a brothel from a flat in Gzira were this afternoon sentenced to six months imprisonment suspended for two years.

Olena Antoniades, 27, and Anhelika Kisyelova, 39, pleaded guilty to offering themselves for prostitution on and before Tuesday.

The police carried out a surprise inspection on a flat in Fleet Street where they found the accused as well as several items related to prostitution, including a large number of condoms.

The court heard the two woman explain that they did not know that advertising themselves for prostitution was a crime in Malta as this was perfectly normal in many other European countries. They also said they had been misled by a friend who had shown them how to advertise their services.

The prosecution said it was not insisting on an effective jail term since the women were leaving the island in the coming days.

Magistrate Anthony Vella jailed them for six months suspended for two years.

Police Inspector Jason Sultana prosecuted while lawyer Joseph Ellis appeared for the women.