Bail for ship captain who entered Maltese waters without prior notification

The Egyptian captain of a Maltese flagged ship, accused of entering Maltese territorial waters and the Grand Harbour without the proper documentation and prior notification of the authorities, has been granted bail against a €5,000 deposit – almost one month after his vessel was seized.

The vessel in question, Maltese-flagged “Golden Dawn” has been detained since the 30 July 2014.

Ahmed Abdou Admed Maylou, the Egyptian captain of the “Golden Dawn” was charged with not following correct port procedure, not notifying the Maltese authorities at least 24 hours prior to entry into territorial waters, not having “any navigational charts, notices to mariners or updated navigation information” and not having an official logbook aboard.

Lawyer Joe Mizzi, appearing for the accused, contested the validity of the arrest on the grounds of the accused not being charged with an arrestable offence. The court, however, held that the arrest was valid.

Captain Maylou, speaking through an interpreter, plead not guilty and the defence requested bail.

Prosecuting Inspector Daryl Borg objected to bail on the grounds that the accused had no fixed address and was a flight risk. Mizzi argued that as the accused’s passport was in police possession, the ship detained and had been so for several months, he had no means of absconding.

Furthermore, as all witnesses are Transport Malta employees, there was also no risk of the accused interfering with witnesses, Mizzi argued.

The court granted the accused bail under the strict conditions that he doesn’t approach any witnesses, doesn’t commit any further offences, sign a bail sheet daily and obey a curfew. The accused was further required to deposit his passport together with a bond of €5,000 in court and a personal guarantee of €20,000.

Magistrate Neville Grech presided.