‘2,127 Days’: El Hiblu 3 Case Nears Potential Trial By Jury After Almost Six Years ‘In Limbo’
The ongoing case of the “El Hiblu Three” marked its 2,127th day yesterday, with the most recent court hearing uncovering some compelling arguments and a potential jury proceeding.
Yesterday marked nearly six years since Amara, Abdalla and Kader have been criminalised and forced in a state of limbo, a position that the Coalition for the El Hiblu 3 is calling a “politically-motivated travesty of justice.”
In March 2019, the three young African migrants, aged 15 to 19 at the time, were accused of hijacking the El Hiblu 1 ship, redirecting it to Malta to avoid being returned to Libya’s inhumane detention conditions.
After nearly five years in legal and emotional limbo, a Bill of Indictment was filed in November 2023 against the El Hiblu 3, charging them with terrorism, hijacking, and other serious offences linked to March 2019 events. The defence’s challenge to Malta’s jurisdiction was dismissed in May 2024, further prolonging their ordeal till this day.
However, after years of hardships and multiple arguments that the charges do not stand due to them being outside of Maltese jurisdiction, a glimmer of hope is on the horizon as the case is said to likely proceed to a trial by jury.
On the same day, a press conference was held in front of the Judicial Courts organised by the Coalition, that saw the attendance and speeches of President Emeritus Marie-Louise Coleiro, President of Eurochild, Regine Psaila and President of African Media Association, Maria Pisani.
Daniela Debono, representing the Coalition, started her address by urging the authorities to drop the charges, emphasising that the continued prosecution of the three only perpetuates injustice and tarnishes Malta’s commitment to protecting human rights and vulnerable individuals.
Following this, Marie-Louise Coleiro voiced her own thoughts on the matter:
“Instead of celebrating the courage of these young human rights defenders who saved lives, we criminalised and punished them unjustly,” she said, “Children and youths are the present of every society; what happens to them today greatly affects their future—and ours.”
Coleiro emphasised that the El Hiblu Three, accused as minors, had their youth stolen despite saving lives, calling for justice, protection of children’s rights, and an end to unjust accusations.
“I will continue defending Amara, Kader and Abdala until they are released. I promise that I will keep defending the human rights of all children, whoever they are, wherever they’re from,” Coleiro concluded.
The Coalition and dedicated supporters continue to plea for the dismissal of the trial, citing that “resisting illegal push-backs to Libya is not a crime.”
What do you make of this development?
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