Defendant pleaded guilty to assisting illegal entry into Malta, breaching bail conditions, and failing to care for vulnerable persons.
Court of Magistrates (Malta) as a Court of Criminal Judicature · Magistrate Antoine Agius Bonnici · 7 May 2026
On 27 April 2026 and in the days and months preceding that date, Yazan Abdulaziz is alleged to have assisted one or more persons to enter or attempt to enter Malta illegally, or to remain in Malta in breach of the Immigration Act (Chapter 217), or to conceal or shelter persons he knew or had reasonable grounds to believe were present in Malta contrary to that law. Abdulaziz was also charged with breaching conditions attached to his bail, which had been granted by Magistrate Nadine Sant Lia by decree dated 4 October 2024, by committing the present voluntary offences. A third charge held that he failed to exercise proper care towards children or other persons incapable of caring for themselves when he was under a duty to do so. Abdulaziz was brought before the court under arrest on 28 April 2026. During the statutory examination he pleaded guilty to all three charges. At the hearing of 4 May 2026, Assistant Registrar of the Criminal Court Christianne Borg presented the original bail decree of 4 October 2024, including any amendments to its conditions. The court then heard submissions from both parties on sentencing. The court carefully verified that the guilty plea was made lawfully. It warned the accused in the most solemn terms of the legal consequences, gave him adequate time to consult with his lawyer and to reconsider his plea, and then asked him again. Abdulaziz confirmed his guilty plea to all charges. Satisfied that there was no reason to doubt the admission, the court found all charges proven to the standard required by law. The court convicted Abdulaziz and sentenced him to three months effective imprisonment and a fine of €1,000. It additionally ordered the confiscation of €5,000 in favour of the Government of Malta — representing half of the €10,000 bail deposit fixed in the October 2024 decree — pursuant to Article 579 of the Criminal Code.
Yazan Abdulaziz found guilty on all three charges. Sentenced to 3 months effective imprisonment and a fine of €1,000. Additionally, €5,000 confiscated in favour of the Government of Malta (being half of the €10,000 bail deposit fixed by Magistrate Nadine Sant Lia on 4 October 2024) pursuant to Article 579(1) and (2) of the Criminal Code, Chapter 9.
Immigration Act Chapter 217 — Art. 32(1)(a); Criminal Code Chapter 9 — Arts. 339(1)(j), 579 (bail breach, failure of care, confiscation)