Twelve Maltese have been held by police in Sicily and face charges of illegal hunting after dead protected birds were found in their luggage before boarding the catamaran to Malta, according to Italian media.

Police officers also found them in possession of shotguns, laser pointers, elector-acoustic bird callers and other items illegally used for hunting.

Hunters' reaction

In a reaction, the hunters' organisation Kaċċaturi San Ubertu said it upholds legal and sustainable hunting and deplores any acts that put hunting under a bad light.

It said it awaits the Sicilian court’s verdict and the publication of names of those charged.

Should any of those charged be a KSU member, his membership would be revoked.

"Over the years KSU has worked towards eradicating abuse and trusts that such individuals find no shelter from all other hunting organizations," KSU said.