The court today granted bail to a Libyan man who was caught carrying nine passports of third parties.

Mohamed Ramdan Mostfa Mousa, a 33-year-old from Libya, was arraigned in court after he was caught in possession of the passports by customs official at the airport yesterday.

Mr Mousa told the police that someone had approached him to bring the passports over to Malta but he did not personally know the holders of the passports.

The man is the director of a health company based in Malta and is holder of a valid residence permit. 

Defence counsel Arthur Azzopardi noted that for visas to be issued by the central visa unit, an original passport of the applicant needs to be presented.  He asked for representative of the central visa unit to testify in the upcoming sittings.

Magistrate Gabriella Vella granted bail against a deposit of €300 and personal guarantee of €1,000.

Last week,  two Syrian men caught handling 10 passports claimed they were simply applying for Maltese travel visas for their relatives.