VALLETTA, MALTA (Times of Malta) – An Ethiopian migrant who was granted refugee status and the possibility of starting a new life in the United States has been remanded in custody after he allegedly tried to leave Malta in violation of bail conditions.

A court was told today that Daniel Haile TesfaMihret, who is facing charges of causing grievous bodily harm, had tried to leave Malta for the United States last Tuesday but was stopped by the police at the airport when his luggage had already been loaded on the plane. His wife and children continued on their way.

Police Inspector Martin Sammut said he had previously warned the refuge, who is from Sudan, that he could not leave Malta until his court case was heard. He had suggested the filing of an application to the magistrate for the case to be brought forward. However, when Mr TesfaMihret was arrested, it resulted that no such application had been made. The migrant pleaded not guilty to breaching bail conditions.