Two Syrian men were yesterday charged in court with failing to declare a total of e30,570 for exchange control purposes.

Before presiding Magistrate Audrey Demicoli, 42-year-old Kasem Al Awad, who resides in Pietà, pleaded not guilty to the charges of failing to declare e17,000 and $2,100 before he tried to leave on a flight on Friday.

However, 34-year-old Olian Chikh Ali, residing in Hamrun, pleaded guilty to failing to declare e13,570 and $450 on Friday.

Magistrate Demicoli fined Chikh e890 and ordered the confiscation of the cash, apart from the legally allowed e10,000.

Police Inspector Maurice Curmi prosecuted. Dr Stephen Tonna Lowell and Dr Joseph Giglio appeared for Mr Al Awad while Dr Marion Camilleri appeared for Ali Chikh.