The Armed Forces of Malta has denied a report in Italian newspaper
Il Giornale, claiming allegations that it refueled a migrant vessel and then
pointed in the direction of Italy were “completely unfounded.”
The Milan newspaper claimed that a boat carrying 279 migrants,
including 66 women and 31 children and a newborn of 20 days, was directed to
Pozzallo by the Maltese armed forces, while being monitored by two Maltese
patrol boats.
The newspaper says migrants rescued from the boat said they were
moving in Malta’s direction, but alleged members of the AFM provide the
migrants with water and biscuits “and drove us into Italian territorial
waters.”
