Albanian deported for using false travel document

A court has ordered the removal from Malta of an 18-year-old Albanian youth, after he admitted to having used a false Cypriot residence permit card to travel.

Magistrate Francesco Depasquale heard Inspector Mario Haber explain how Basrit Bruka had been arrested at Malta International Airport, as he was boarding a flight to the UK.

Bruka was found to be in possession of a forged Cypriot residence card, which would allow him to free movement across internal borders in the Schengen zone of the European Union.

Bruka pleaded guilty to charges of being in possession, and attempting to make use of, a forged travel document. In view of his admission, the court condemned him to six months' imprisonment, suspended for two years. The court was told that the accused would be subject to an immediate removal order.

The court explained to the accused that, in view of his actions, the law automatically barred him from entering the Schengen zone for the next five years.