Malians released after controversial three-month detention
Updated 3.05pm - Added Solidarity with Migrants comment
Nine Malians who were kept in detention for three months were released today, but the government still plans to deport them to their country, Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela announced this afternoon.
The nine were kept in detention pending the arrival of official documents so that they could be returned to Mali, but the documents have not been delivered yet.
They will be deported when the documents arrive from Mali, the minister said.
"Their status remains that of failed asylum seekers, which implies they will have to be deported when country sends official documents," the minister said.
READ: Deportation does not mean 'treating men like criminals', NGOs tell PMHis announcement came just hours before a planned protest against their detention.
The nine were originally in a group of 33 arrested in November for deportation to Mali, reportedly as part of an EU initiative.
The sudden arrest, which came a few weeks before the Christmas festivities, shocked the migrant community.
In December, Gianluca Cappitta – a lawyer at Mifsud and Mifsud Advocates – filed a constitutional case that challenged the validity of the...