Cap. 234 Art. 371BWhere magistrate finds that prisoner is in custody under written order of competent authority. Powers of President of Malta. 

(1) If the magistrate finds that the person aforesaid is being kept in custody under a written order made by the competent authority of a foreign State for any offence (other than a political offence), including mutiny, desertion from military service, or any other offence against military discipline, it shall be lawful for the

President of Malta to direct that such person be left on board the ship, for the continuation of the voyage to the place of his destination or, according to circumstances, that the said person be conveyed to a public prison, there to be kept until, at the request of the consul, or other person exercising 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.

(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 proved, it shall be presumed that the nature of the offence is correctly stated in the order under which such person is in custody.