Maltese media has revealed this week the case of Mohamed Ali Ahmed Al-Musrati, also known on social media as ‘Lilu King’, who is wanted in Libya on charges of murder and drug trafficking.

According to court testimony reported by the 'Lovin Malta' website, Al-Musrati has been living in Malta as a refugee since 2015 and amassed a fortune through drug trafficking.

Al-Musrati's refugee status in Malta was revoked last month after being charged with trafficking cocaine and cannabis resin, money laundering, tax evasion, and participation in organized crime. He is also fighting against extradition back to Libya.

A liaison officer from Interpol testified in court that Al-Musrati’s name, passport number, date, and place of birth, along with other identifying details matched those of an individual wanted in Tripoli.

Despite his show of wealth on social media, Al-Musrati claimed in court that he lived rent-free in an apartment owned by a friend and that his luxurious vehicles were borrowed, not owned, and insisted that his wealth came from funds sent from abroad.

He stated that he previously received money through Western Union, but after the service was halted in Libya and SWIFT transactions were blocked, he began using the Hawala system for money transfers.

Wanted in Libya

On May 7, the Tripoli Interpol office sent information to Maltese police regarding a wanted individual named “Mohammed Ali Al-Musrati”, whose passport number, date of birth and other details, as well as photographs, all matched that of 'Lilu King'.

According to that communication he is wanted by Tripoli's Attorney General in connection with crimes that include drug trafficking, murder, membership in dangerous groups and trafficking in other illegal substances.

Authorities from the two countries were currently in communication regarding extradition, according to a report in Malta Today.

Al-Musrati's defense lawyer responded to the accusations in court by saying his client “escaped from Libya because he was persecuted and the state (Malta) granted him refugee status”.

He also questioned whether the authorities in Tripoli had sent “at least one sheet of supporting evidence” to back their charges.