162 illegal immigrants being sent back to Malta

Italy has decided to send back to Malta 162 illegal immigrants who had landed in Pozzallo, Sicily, after their boat entered Maltese territorial waters on September 9, it is reliably understood.

The immigrants had demanded fuel and food to continue with their voyage to Sicily, but refused to land in Malta. AFM patrol boat crews complied with the request and the boat was allowed to continue its north-bound journey. They then landed in Pozzallo.

Italy subsequently lodged a protest with the Foreign Ministry in Valletta through its ambassador, Dr Alvise Memmo, insisting that Malta take back the immigrants, once they had left from Maltese territory, in keeping with the agreement signed between the two countries in 2001.

Malta maintained that the immigrants had not actually landed in Malta, so the agreement did not apply. However, on learning from the Italian authorities that 90 per cent of the immigrants were Egyptians, the Maltese government is understood to have agreed to take them back so as to signify its determination to combat illegal immigration.

Since Malta has good repatriation arrangements with Egypt, there is a very good likelihood that the Egyptians, once here, will be sent home.

According to the reports, the immigrants are being flown to Malta from Sicily aboard a chartered aircraft this week.