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Maltese prisoners in Tunisia safe, but situation remains ‘very serious’
Four Maltese nationals being detained in Tunisian prisons are said to be fine, and are in no danger, senior diplomats at the Foreign Office have confirmed.
16 January 2011, 12:00am
Karl Stagno-Navarra
Karl Stagno-Navarra
1 min read
MaltaToday is informed that all four Maltese who are currently awaiting trial in different prisons around the North African country, have made contact with their families, while the Foreign Affairs ministry has also received confirmation that all are well.
The news came as a relief for families, as news wires yesterday confirmed the burning of a prison in Monastir during a revolt by inmates. It is estimated that more than 50 prisoners may have lost their lives in the blaze.
Friday night’s dramatic escalation of events in Tunisia that led to the ousting of President Ben Ali, took the Maltese government by storm as news wires speculated that the deposed leader had fled to Malta.
The reports were swiftly denied by government, however a Tunisian government plane, flying at a privileged altitude requested permission to enter Maltese airspace and proceed towards Paris.
The plane – which later turned out to be a decoy – was the same twin-engined Falcon which later landed at Sardegna’s Elmi airport for refuelling.
