A man who was behind a plot for 14 migrants to escape from Malta was jailed for five-and-a-half years today. The attempted escape ended in tragedy when the boat foundered and some of the migrants drowned.

The case took place in March 2006.

Anthony Abdilla pleaded guilty to having conspired with his daughter Dorianne to help the migrants.

He had rented an apartment for the migrants in Benghajsa and procured a boat and motor to help them escape The migrants paid just under €500 each.

The boat had sailed out of Cirkewwa on March 3, 2006 in the afternoon. Some half an hour into its trip it started taking in water and foundered.

Some of those on board managed to swim to shore but others didn't. Some were listed as missing, while the corpses of some others were recovered.

Dorianne Abdilla, who had driven the migrants to Cirkewwa and knew of the plot,  was fined €23,293.

 

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