On January 22, 2025, another hearing took place in the ongoing case of the El Hiblu 3, three young men who have been entangled in legal proceedings for nearly six years.
Today’s hearing highlighted the prolonged uncertainty surrounding the case, as the charges have yet to be resolved. The court case is now expected to proceed to a trial by jury, extending the 2,127 days that Amara, Abdalla, and Kader have been unjustly criminalized.
Following the hearing, the Coalition for the El Hiblu 3 held a press conference to denounce what they called a “politically-motivated travesty of justice.” The coalition argued that the three, who were teenagers at the time of their arrest, are heroes for saving lives at sea and preventing an illegal pushback to Libya, not criminals.
"Not in our name!"
Professor Daniela DeBono, representing the coalition, issued an appeal to Maltese authorities:“These are actions that are taken ‘not in our name.’ We do not want a country that hurts the most vulnerable; children.” Addressing the three directly, she said, “Courage, dear Amara. Courage, dear Abdalla. The truth will come out. Justice will prevail.”
Stolen youth
Her Excellency Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, Emeritus President of Malta, emphasized the human toll of the prolonged case:“Amara, Abdalla, and Kader have been facing unfair charges for 2,127 days. For nearly six years, their childhoods were harshly taken away, their youth stolen, and their aspirations lost. These young men saved lives, yet they were criminalized instead of celebrated.”
A call for hope
Regine Nguini, President of the African Media Association, spoke about the importance of hope in the face of injustice:“When your future is stuck because of an unfortunate lawsuit, that is where hope comes in; a hope that moves mountains. I want to tell Amara, Kader, and Abdalla that hope is here. It is fat, well-fed, obese even. Our fight goes on.”
Solidarity and responsibility
William Grech, Director of KOPIN, reflected on the ordeal’s duration and the legal limbo that disrupts the young men’s lives. “In two months, it will have been six years since their arrest. They try to live normal lives, but the charges hang over them. It is never too late to right a grave injustice.”
Meanwhile, Professor Maria Pisani reminded attendees of the universal anguish of waiting in uncertainty:“Almost six years on, these young men continue to wait. It is a torture they do not deserve. We will continue to support them in their fight for justice.”
Demands for justice
The speakers, including Hagen Kopp of Alarmphone, reiterated the coalition’s demand: the charges must be dropped. They emphasized that the El Hiblu 3 acted as translators and mediators in a crisis, helping to prevent an illegal pushback to Libyan detention centers.
As the press conference concluded, the coalition vowed to continue their fight until the El Hiblu 3 are freed. Their website, www.eh3coalition.org, serves as a hub for updates and calls to action.
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