A Libyan refugee in Malta, who is flaunting his lavish lifestyle on social media is wanted in Libya to face murder charges, according to the Malta Today news website.
During a court hearing in Malta on Monday, a police inspector from the force’s Interpol section said that authorities in Tripoli had contacted Malta’s police to flag the wanted status of an individual.
Mohamed Ali Ahmed Elmushraty, known on social media as ‘Lilu King’, is wanted by law enforcement in Tripoli. This is in connection with a raft of crimes ranging from murder to drug trafficking, a police officer who serves as an Interpol liaison testified.
Libyan authorities have asked Malta to detain Elmushraty, and have him extradited to Libya to face charges there, the witness explained.
Despite his allegedly shady past, Elmushraty was in Malta as a refugee, having been granted status in 2015. He had that status withdrawn last month.
Elmushraty was arrested during a drug raid in St Julian’s in May, along with two others. Police subsequently charged him with money laundering, tax evasion, and participating in organised crime.
During cross-examination, defence lawyer, Franco Debono questioned the reliability of Libyan institutions, given the civil war in the country. The witness said that the official documents had been issued by Interpol Tripoli, which was on an equal footing as Interpol Floriana.
“He escaped from Libya because he was persecuted, and the state granted him refugee status,” stressed Debono, asking whether the Tripoli authorities had sent “at least one sheet of supporting evidence.”
Investigations peaked on 24 May, when Elmushraty was arrested and his residence at Portomaso and Qawra searched, yielding an impressive list of branded items and valuables, but no drugs.
Three Apple iPhones, 11 SIM cards, 27 bags of branded clothing, and 111 pairs of original brand shoes. As well as a considerable amount of jewellery including 15 rings, chains, cuff links and belts were seized from the Portomaso flat.
Later, he told police that all the luxurious vehicles he drove did not belong to him, adding that it was normal to borrow cars.
He had no bank accounts in Malta, and claimed no social benefits, saying that he received money from abroad.
The court, however, did observe that after three sittings, it was still awaiting evidence about the crime allegedly giving rise to the illicit funds that the accused is charged with laundering.
