13 charged with pick-pocketing, all plead not guilty

Five Bulgarian men and eight Bulgarian women yesterday morning pleaded not guilty to pick-pocketing charges and to forming part of an organised crime ring.

The Bulgarians, aged between 21 and 33, were arrested in Sliema on Thursday as they were about to leave for the airport. They were accompanied by two boys and two girls.

No requests for bail were made.

Defence lawyer Charlon Gouder asked the court to ensure that the four couples, with children in Malta, were allowed to speak to their sons and daughters. The children, whose ages range from four to six, are currently in the care of Appoġġ and are staying in a Church home until their grandparents come to Malta next week to take them to Bulgaria.

Magistrate Clare Stafrace Zammit presided over the case. Inspector Jonathan Ransley prosecuted.