Merchant Shipping Act (Cap. 234), article 371B

371B. (1) If the magistrate finds that the person aforesaid is being kept in custody under a written order made by the compete nt authority of a foreign State for any offence (other than a poli tical offence), including mutiny, des ertion from military service, or any other offence against military discipline, it shall be lawful f or the President of Malta to direct tha t such person be left on board the ship, for the continuation of the voyage to the place of his destination or, accordi ng to circumstances, that the said perso n be conveyed to a public prison, there to be kept until, at the req uest of the consul, or other person exerc ising the functions of consul of the said State, he may be taken back to the same or to another ship for the continuation of the said voyage. Evidence to be heard by magistrate. (2) The magistrate shall receive any evidence which may be tendered to show that the offence for which the said person is in custody, is a political offence; but, until the contrary is pro ved, it shall be presumed that the nature of the offence is correctly s tated in the order under which s uch person is in custody. Power of magistrate to grant time for the production of the order. Added by: II. 2015.2.