Two Ukrainians this afternoon were handed down a suspended sentence after they pleaded guilty to advertising sexual services online and to running a brothel in Gzira.

A warrant of arrest against Olena Antoniades, 27, and Anzhelika Kisyelova, 39, both from Ukraine, was issued by Magistrate Aaaron Bugeja after a surprise police raid in Gzira revealed a large number of contraceptives in one of the apartments.

During questioning, the accused told the police that they were not aware that advertising sexual services and prostitution were perceived as a crime in Malta, as this is not the case in other countries.

They said that the website informed users that adverts of sexual services were legal, and a friend had mislead them into thinking so when he showed them how to post an advert online.

The prosecution, led by Inspector Jason Francis Sultana, did not request effective imprisionment, saying the two Ukrainians are expected to leave Malta in the coming days.

Magistrate Anthony Vella handed both women a six months sentence suspended for two years.

Dr Joe Ellis represented the accused.