Stowaways trying to leave Malta in shipping container jailed for six months
Three migrants plead guilty to charges of trying to leave Malta inside a shipping container without informing immigration authorities
8 January 2021, 1:48pm
by Matthew Agius
Three would-be stowaways have been jailed after being caught attempting to leave Malta inside a shipping container.
Tarek Akutan Kitiel, 18, Djibrilf Adam, 18, and Nasreddin Salem, 29, all from Sudan and residents at the Hal Far open centre were arraigned before Magistrate Caroline Farrugia Frendo this afternoon.
Inspector Christian Abela accused the men of embarking a vessel without informing the immigration authorities and entering a restricted area of the Valletta sea terminal.
Three migrants who tried to slip out of the country by hiding inside a shipping container on Thursday, landed behind bars on Friday.
Tarek Akutan Kitiel, 18, Djibrilf Adam, 18, and Nasreddin Salem, 29, all Sudanese nationals living at the Ħal Far open centre, were escorted to court under arrest, after being caught out at the Valletta Gateway Terminal at around midday.
The trio were charged with embarking a vessel without informing the immigration authorities, without the authorisation of the captain and also for having entered into the restricted zone at the sea port.
Assisted by an interpreter, all three accused pleaded guilty, confirming their admission after consulting their lawyer, being given time to reconsider and being warned by presiding magistrate Caroline Farrugia Frendo that the charges carried an effective jail term of between six months and two years.