Man jailed for five years after admitting human trafficking charges

A man and his daughter were today jailed for over five years and fined €23,000 after pleading guilty to human trafficking, in a case which dates back to 2006.

In March 2006, an attempted escape by 14 migrants ended in tragedy when the boat sank and some of the migrants drowned.

Anthony Abdilla, 67 and his daughter Dorianne, 34, admitted to the charges prior to a trial by jury over charges of human trafficking.

Towards the end of 2005 the accused rented an apartment  at Qajjeza, Birzebbugia to a certain Jaser Selman Al Daghman and six other persons.

Abdilla had suggested to Al Daghman he could help the group abscond from Malta, against payment.

The accused said he planned to purchase a boat under his name, on which boat the group could leave the island and head to Italy.

Al Daghman who had already attempted to flee the island, and six others accepted to the terms set by Abdilla and paid €698 for the trip.

Abdilla purchased a boat from Tar-Ratal Marine for the sum of €1,950. He also purchased two marine outboard engines from a mechanic, Christopher Cassar.

The accused had instructed the mechanic to charge the migrants €12 extra on each engine, as a commission.

In the afternoon of 3 March 2006, Dorianne Abdilla, the daughter of the accused drove the group of migrants to Cirkewwa while Abdilla towed the boat.

At Cirkewwa they were joined by another group of migrants who had agreed to join on the same voyage.

The group was made of 14 men in total, however 30 minutes after leaving shore, water started entering the boat, which sank within moments.

The migrants attempted to swim to shore., however while a number of them were rescued by people on shore, a number of them drowned and some went missing.

Mr Justice Michael Mallia heard the accused's guilty plea and sentenced Anthony Abdilla to five years and six months imprisonment. The court also fined Dorianne Abdilla €23,293.

Judge Mallia ordered both the accused to pay the sum of €3,815.90 in court expenses. If the expenses are not paid within two weeks, the fine would be converted to jail time.