AN ALBANIAN man will stand trial for alleged people smuggling.
Afrim Xhekaliu is accused of illegally bringing seven of his fellow countrymen and a woman into Sussex on Wednesday.
The 40-year-old, from Barnet, north London, pleaded not guilty to smuggling them by dinghy from Albania to Sovereign Harbour in Eastbourne, where they were rescued by lifeboat crews.
Xhekaliu entered his plea to Brighton magistrates via video link from a custody suite today.
He pleaded not guilty to breaching immigration law by bringing people into the UK illegally, and also to the charge of possession of criminal property - the money.
Xhekaliu was remanded in custody ahead of his plea and trial preparation hearing at Lewes Crown Court on March 2.
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