A passenger on a stopover at Malta International Airport will be spending time behind bars after airport officials discovered he was travelling with forged documents.

Albanian national Vebi Zerja, 24, residing at Diber, Albania, was yesterday headed from his homeland to the UK, stopping en route at Malta Airport to catch a connecting flight.

However, his travel plans were disrupted after it was discovered that he was carrying a false Italian identity card, driving licence and health card.

The man was arraigned on charges of forgery and of possession or use of forged documents.

Assisted by an interpreter, the man pleaded not guilty but did not request bail.

The court, presided over by Magistrate Neville Camilleri, remanded the man in custody.

Immigration Officer Inspector Darren Buhagiar prosecuted. Lawyer Noel Cutajar was legal aid.

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