Two Syrians and two Maltese were taken to court today after being arrested yesterday when a boat carrying 18 migrants was escorted to Cirkewwa.

Mahmoud Hamd, 28 and Issam Hamd, 29, admitted to assisting people land in Malta or to helping a group of people leave another country unlawfully.

They were given a two-year conditional discharge.

Grezzju Abela, 62 of Fgura and Clayton Neal Camilleri, 31 of Żebbug, pleaded not guilty to having, in Malta and abroad, conspired to commit a crime and with having assisted people to land or stay in Malta unlawfully.

Inspector Edel Mary Camilleri prosecuted.