Immigration Act (Cap. 217), article 20

20. (1) Any person to whom this article applies shall be removed from Malta by the master of the vessel in which he arri ved or, if directions for the purpose are given by the Minister or by the Principal Immigration Officer, by the owner or agents of that vessel. IMMIGRATION [ CAP. 217. 15 (2) It shall be lawful (notwithstanding any intervening prosecution) for the Principal Immigration Officer or any Polic e officer to place any person to whom this article applies on boa rd the vessel in which he arrived in Malta or on board any vessel belonging to the same owners for removal from Malta. (3) This article shall apply to - (a) any person to whom leave to land has been refused; (b) any person who, not having been granted leave to land, is found on shore in Malta; (c) any member of a crew who, having been granted leave to land or leave to land and remain in Malta under article 6(1)( a), is reasonably susp ected of having acted or of being about to act in contravention of this Act: Provided that this article shall not apply, in so far as it imposes an obligation on the master, owner or agents of the ves sel in which a person arrived in Malta, if a period exceeding six months has elapsed since the date of the last landing of such p erson in Malta from that vessel. Master of vessel to detain on board certain persons.