Two Syrian men who came to Istanbul from Malta and who were found to have a number of passports belonging to family members of theirs in their possession at the Malta Airport ended up arrested “due to an administrative blunder”.

Lawyer Arthur Azzopardi who appeared on behalf of the two men described as an administrative blunder - which is no fault of the Police - the fact that the authorities require the physical passports to issue visas for people to travel.

He said his clients travelled to Malta with their relatives' passports to be able to apply for a visa they could visit Malta.

Mosab Iliwi, a 23-year-old who lives in Ħamrun and Najm Ryad, 31, from Paola, were arrested upon their arrival on Tuesday.

Dr Azzopardi explained that his clients brought the passports of their relatives to be able to go to the Central Visa Unit in Malta and apply for a visa for them since one of the requisites for a visa to be issued is the actual physical passport.

“This is an administrative blunder because someone cannot enter Malta without a visa and to apply for your visa you need your passport so there is no option but to send it with other people. One of them had his wife's and his children's passports,” he said.

He explained that both his clients were Syrian refugees with subsidiary protection and have been living in Malta for years.

The prosecution, led by Police Inspector Lara Butters, confirmed that the passports were genuine and belonged to the family members of both the accused. She said that while customs officers were searching their belongings, they were found in possession of a total of 10 passports, including theirs.

They were released on bail against a set of conditions, including that they have to sign at a police station three times a week. The two men were granted bail against a personal guarantee of €5,000.

Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras presided over the case.