A Syrian man was yesterday charg­ed with failing to declare €60,000 in cash when trying to leave the country on Sunday in an effort to get money to relatives caught in the turmoil his country is experiencing.

Khalil Hamed, 34, from Santa Venera, a long-time resident who is married to a Maltese, was allegedly also carrying money given to him by other Syrians living in Malta to hand over to their relatives in Syria.

He was stopped at 3 p.m. at the airport and searched when Customs officers allegedly found €60,000 in cash in his possession.

Mr Hamed pleaded not guilty to failing to declare the cash.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera granted him bail against a personal guarantee of €2,000.

Lawyer Joe Brincat appeared for Mr Hamed.

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