20 people have admitted to charges of hate speech over comments they had posted on Facebook.

The 20 were arraigned on Friday before Magistrate Ian Farrugia. They had posted their comments beneath a video that had shown a man who had been assaulted by a group of foreign individuals.

Inspectors John Spiteri and Kylie Borg brought charges against the 20 people who had posted the inflammatory comments.

The 20 admitted to the charges and were given suspended sentences ranging from 18 months to two years, and fines between €150 - €500, depending on the severity of the comments.

"It's okay to make comments and be critical but not to devolve into hate speech," the magistrate said.