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NEWS
maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 20 OCTOBER 2021
NEWS
KARL AZZOPARDI
THE captains of the Tuni-
sian vessels intercepted by the
Armed Forces of Malta on Sun-
day, were handed a €10,000 fine
on Tuesday.
The court heard how the cap-
tains refused to obey the army's
orders, with reinforcements be-
ing called in during the opera-
tion.
The vessels were intercept-
ed by the Armed Forces within
Maltese territorial waters west of
Gozo on Sunday.
The vessels were boarded by
AFM personnel and escorted to
Valletta Grand Harbour during
the night for further investiga-
tion by Malta's Fisheries De-
partment and the Malta Police
Force.
Sources who spoke to Malt-
aToday said around 260 kg of
Lampuki were found onboard
the Tunisian vessels.
The vessels were boarded by
AFM personnel and escorted to
Valletta Grand Harbour during
the night for further investigation
by Malta's Fisheries Department
and the Malta Police Force.
Photos of the intercepted ves-
sels fit this description, showing
a large green boat with the Tuni-
sian flag printed on the side.
The captains pleaded guilty to
the charges, and have been or-
dered to stay on the boat until
fine is paid. No weapons were
found on board.
Replying to questions sent on
Monday, the police said investi-
gations are ongoing.
Questions to the AFM and the
Fisheries Department within the
ministry have so far remained
unanswered.
AFM had to call in reinforcements
after intercepting Tunisian vessels
