An Identity Malta employee today was accused in court of embezzling thousands of euro paid for the granting of passports.

Joseph Calleja, 60, from Mosta, pleaded not guilty and was granted bail.

He was suspended from his job last Wednesday when the matter came to light.

Calleja was also accused of misappropriation, fraud and falsification of documents, aggravated by the fact that he was a public officer.

Although the exact sum has not yet been established, investigators alleged that the full amount exceeded €20,000.

The prosecution explained that the man was employed within the Passport Department and had been tasked with handling the reconciliation of funds.

Before Magistrate Joseph Mifsud, the man pleaded not guilty and was granted bail against a deposit of €1,000 and a personal guarantee of €10,000.

Inspectors Matthew Vella and Priscilla Caruana Lee prosecuted.

Lawyers Arthur Azzopardi and Josette Sultana were defence counsel.