Main content

Malta and the El Hiblu 3

The story of how three teenage refugees ended up being accused of terrorism in Malta. If found guilty, they face life in prison.

This is the curious story of how a child refugee ended up in Malta accused of the most serious crime - of being a terrorist. Lamin was 13 when he ran away from his home in Guinea in search of a better life. He had never even heard of Malta. But after attempting the perilous sea crossing to Europe, he and two other teenagers were accused of hijacking the ship, the El Hiblu, that rescued them and brought them to shore. If found guilty he and the young men could face life in prison. Two years on the case has still not been taken to trial and the three remain in limbo. For Assignment, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ’s Europe correspondent Jean Mackenzie travels to Malta to hear Lamin’s story, as she searches for answers about what happened on board the ship that day and why Malta is taking such a tough stance on these young migrants.

Producer Kate Vandy.

Available now

23 minutes

Last on

Thu 5 Aug 2021 19:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Thu 5 Aug 2021 03:06GMT
  • Thu 5 Aug 2021 08:06GMT
  • Thu 5 Aug 2021 12:32GMT
  • Thu 5 Aug 2021 19:06GMT

Download this programme

Subscribe to this programme or download individual episodes