Woman admits buying passport for €7,000 to seek refuge from Middle East country
The accused arrived in Malta from Istanbul after escaping her country
A 38-year-old woman who travelled to Malta seeking refuge has been handed a nine-month prison sentence suspended for two years after admitting to using a forged passport.
The woman, who is from the Middle East, arrived in Malta on a flight from Istanbul on June 4.
Her name and nationality cannot be published by court order.
Authorities approached the woman after suspecting that her travel document was forged.
She admitted that she had bought the passport for €7,000 in an attempt to escape her country and seek refuge in Europe.
Magistrate Nadia Helena Vella handed the woman a nine-month prison sentence suspended for two years.
The prosecution was led by Inspector Christian Abela.
Lawyer Rachel Tua appeared for the woman through legal aid. The Magistrate is Nadia Helena Vella.