Libyan jailed for eight months for using fake passport

A Libyan man who was arrested by police shortly after arriving from Libya was today sentenced to eight months imprisonment after admitting to use a fake passport.

Standing before Magistrate Charmaine Galea, the accused, Essam Hamad Elkershine, pleaded guilty to using a fake British residency permit while travelling from Libya to the UK through Malta.

The accused was arrested yesterday afternoon at the Malta International Airport shortly after arriving from Mitiga in Libya. The man’s intention was to board another flight to Edinburgh.

Prosecuting officer Darren Buhagiar told Magistrate Charmaine Galea that the accused had not cooperated with the police and refused to divulge details on how he procured the fake residency permit. Consequently, the inspector argued that the accused should be imprisoned in order to deter others from travelling to Malta using a fake travel document and ask for asylum.

Legal aid lawyer Martin Fenech, appearing for the accused, argued that the accused’s intention was not to seek asylum, and appealed that the Court hand the accused a suspended prison sentence due to the unrest in Libya.

The Court, however, turned down the defence’s request and jailed the man for eight months.

Magistrate Charmaine Galea presided. Police Insector Darren Buhagiar prosecuted while Lawyer Martin Fenech was legal aid.