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MW 20 December 2017

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maltatoday WEDNESDAY 20 DECEMBER 2017 News 8 MARIA PACE THE number of foreign di- vorces issued at Malta's public registry seems to be on the rise, with 124 total divorces in 2016. Although divorce in Malta has been legalised, it seems that residents living in Malta are getting divorced abroad, through court or any other foreign authority. The referendum on divorce in Malta was held in May 2011, after much debate and discussion about the issue. At the time, Malta was one of just three countries in the world, alongside the Philippines and the Vatican City, in which di- vorce was not permitted. The proposal passed, ap- proved by 53% of the voters, resulting in the law allowing divorce under conditions be- ing enacted in October of that year. Information given dur- ing a parliamentary session has shown that since 2010, the number of foreign divorces registered in Malta is escalat- ing, reaching an average of 85 divorces per year. In 2010, the total number of divorces was 47, while in 2015, the number reached 89. 2016 seemed to be the all time high, with 124 divorces registered. Until 11 December 2017, 76 divorces were registered. These figures ref lect the number of Maltese citizens residing abroad, and also the number of foreign couples registered in Malta. More importantly, it reveals that even though divorce has been legalised for six years in Malta, people have still decid- ed to get divorced overseas for whatever reason that may be. Number of overseas divorces registered in Malta on the rise Burglar admits to theft from electronics store MATTHEW AGIUS A burglar has been handed a suspended sentence after admitting to the burglary of an electronics store in Paola. Christopher Briffa, a 26-year-old from Tarxien, was arraigned before a Mag- istrates' Court yesterday after police investigations into the theft, which took place last month, led them to him. Fingerprints lifted from the crime scene and other forensic evidence linked Briffa, who has a history of trouble with the law, to the burglary, which took place on November 5. In court yesterday morn- ing, Briffa pleaded guilty to complicity in the theft of four stereos, causing wil- ful damage to third-party property and receiving sto- len goods. Taking into account the nature of the offences, Brif- fa's early guilty plea and drug problems, duty Mag- istrate Gabriella Vella de- clared the man guilty and condemned him to one year in prison, suspended for four years. The court further placed the accused under the super- vision of a Probation Officer for four years, urging him to keep regular appointments or to follow the instructions of his supervisor. "If during these four years you should commit another offence, I shall be informed," warned the Magistrate. Inspector Spiridione Zam- mit prosecuted. Law yer Benjamin Valenzia was legal aid.

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