Carmelo 'Charlie' Grech, the Maltese man who has been arrested in Libya over visa issues returned to Malta late yesterday evening, The Malta Independent has learnt.

The sea captain is in a healthy condition, and was welcomed at the airport following his flight back from Libya on a Medavia place by his family.

He arrived at around midnight.

The 60-year-old Maltese man was detained for more than two weeks over a visa blunder. It was initially reported that the man was travelling on a visa issued by the Tripoli government but landed in the airport of Labraq in the Tobruk controlled eastern region and was detained upon arrival.

For several days, there was no contact with his family in Malta. It was only after 17 days that his family broke their silence, speaking with The Malta Independent to thank the Maltese government and the Tobruk Charges d’affairs Mr Al Habib Al Amin for being in contact with the Libyan authorities who are holding our father.”

Mr Al Amin was among those who welcomed Mr Grech at the airport.