Indian remanded in custody in connection with haul of counterfeit euros

A leather goods importer has been charged in connection with what has been described in court in the largest seizure of fake euro notes in Malta, this morning.

33-year-old businessman Ravi Kumar, who hails from Pur Baoli in India, was presented before Magistrate Audrey Demicoli, charged with being in possession of fake banknotes with a face value totalling some €116,200.

The accused requested legal aid, claiming he had no financial means. Legal aid lawyer Noel Bartolo initially objected to his appointment, asserting that the accused works as a businessman and was not therefore not entitled to legal aid. 

To resolve the issue, the court ordered the accused to make a solemn declaration that he lacked the financial means to engage a lawyer and appointed Bartolo for today’s sitting. It also ordered that a request be sent to the justice minister, for direction when similar objections by legal aid lawyers arise in future.

After a brief consultation with his newly-appointed lawyer, Kumar pleaded not guilty. The defence requested bail.

Prosecuting inspector Ian Abdilla objected to bail, citing the serious nature of the offence and the fact that he had no fixed address in Malta made him a flight risk. The inspector told the court that this was the biggest haul of fake Euros in Malta. The police seized 1152 notes of €100 and 20 €50 notes, said the inspector, adding that Kumar had been apprehended at the airport in the process of leaving the islands.

Bartolo countered, saying that no evidence indicating that the accused was not trustworthy had been presented at this stage. Furthermore, he insisted, the accused had informed him during the sitting that he would be staying with a friend and so would have a fixed address. The court could take measures to prevent his absconding, he added.

The court denied Kumar bail, however, as the accused had declared during his initial examination by the court that he had no fixed address. He will be remanded in custody until his case is assigned to a magistrate.