Members of an Egyptian crew manning a fishing boat yesterday were charged with entering Malta illegally while the Libyan captain was accused of human trafficking.

Hamed Hamis Nader, 24, Nema Hamis Badux, 32, Mohamed Ahmed Ahmed Ubusaneb, 27, Subhi Atija Ranem Junis, 25, and Mohamed Fadalla Al Fithjani, 29, pleaded guilty to entering the island illegally on Sunday night.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera jailed them for a month.

Their captain, Abdul Salem Mohamed Ab Xlifa Selwa, 30, pleaded not guilty to human trafficking.

He told the court that his crew mutinied and bound him, ordering him to set sail for Italy. He asked for his wounds to be used as evidence during proceedings. Magistrate Scerri Herrera acceded to his request and appointed Mario Scerri to examine the Libyan captain.

He was remanded in custody.

Police Inspector Nezren Grixti from the Immigration Office prosecuted while Dr Renzo Porsella Flores was legal aid to the crew members. Dr Anthony Cutajar was appointed legal aid to the captain.