Cap. 220 · Malta Armed Forces Act (Cap. 220)
Cap. 220 Art. 135Inquiries into absence.
PART IV
(1) Where a board of inquiry inquiring into the absence of an officer or man of the force reports that he has been absent without leave or other sufficient cause for a period specified in the report, not being less than twenty-one days, a record of the report shall in accordance with the Board of Inquiry Rules be entered in the service books.
(2) A record entered in pursuance of the last foregoing sub-article shall, unless the absentee subsequently surrenders, or is arrested, or the report of the board of inquiry is annulled by the Commander or a subsequent board of inquiry, have the like effect as a conviction by court-martial for desertion.