Libyans arrested on board catamaran as Carabinieri board vessel on way to Malta

Italian and Maltese authorities are investigating three Libyan nationals, two of whom were found to be hidden inside the double bottom of a haulage trailer truck on board the Virtu superfast ferry, which was scheduled to travel from Pozzallo to Malta last Sunday.

10 August 2011, 12:00am
by Karl Stagno-Navarra

1 min read

One of the Libyans – identified as 32 year-old Hani Moftah Elswaiah, who claims to be a ‘political refugee’ – was arrested and removed from aboard the Virtu catamaran by armed Carabinieri, after it already had set sail Malta.

The Catamaran was hailed and boarded by the Carabinieri from a high velocity patrol craft a short while after it left Pozzallo harbour, causing a delay in its return to Malta.

The operation also involved the arrest of two other Libyans who were discovered in a double chassis of a haulage trailer inside the catamaran’s garage.

They were discovered to be connected to Elswaiah, who is said to be behind the planned trip to Malta.

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