Alex Vella’s son and nephew have also been told they couldn’t fly back to Sydney.

Australia last Friday cancelled Alex Vella Sr’s visa under “character provisions of the Migration Act”.

Vella’s son Alex jnr and nephew Damien – who has a criminal record – are Rebels members and Australian citizens, unlike Alex Sr, who is known as the Maltese Falcon and, despite living in Australia for 46 years, remains a native of Malta.

“We’re desperately trying to get answers. We’ve been in contact with Australian High Commission staff, who have told us we need to speak with officials in Berlin,’’ Alex Vella Jr said.

“The airline told us we could fly as far as Dubai but wouldn’t be allowed to board the connecting flight to Sydney. Why fly to Dubai and be forced to sit and wait there when we have family and friends here in Malta?”

The Australian  Federal Government distanced itself from any ­involvement.