Three Turkish nationals today pleaded not guilty to entering Maltese territorial waters without informing or acquiring authorization from local authorities.

Kerim Yesildag, 60, Mutlu Turkay, 33, and Cem Ozturk 37 were denied bail after pleading not guilty on the basis that they have no ties to Malta.

Turkay and Ozturk are separately charged with not being in possession of a passport and not notifying Malta’s principal immigration officer.

The three work and live on a yacht called Hang-Loose, registered in the United States of America. They attempted to plead guilty in order to speed-up proceedings, but the court did now allow them because of the intention behind the admittance of guilt.

Inspector Mario Haber prosecuted while magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech presided over the proceedings. Lawyer Benjamin Valenzia represented the accused.