Two Syrian men apprehended in Italy trying to catch a plane to Malta with false passports have denied any links to terrorist organisations.

Testifying in court, Alali Faowaz, 30, said he had actually fled from jihadist extremists in Syria, according to Corriere di Bergamo.

Faowaz and Hazem Alhamed, 19, were intercepted in Bergamo airport, Italy, last week.

Suspicions were raised after pictures of people in combat were intercepted on one of the men's mobile phones.

According to the Italian news report, Faowaz spoke of his hell when the jihadists took over the town of Raqqa in Syria and declared it the capital of Islamic State.

Forced to work as an enforcement officer, he was soon accused of corruption and sentenced to a fine and 100 lashes.

“I fled, leaving my pregnant wife and my son,” he told the court, and claimed that a man in combat gear found on his mobile phone was a cousin of his killed in battle.

"We are against Isis. I'm even prepared to say it on TV."

We are against Isis. I'm even prepared to say it on TV

On the other hand, Hazem said he fled the village before the jihadists arrived and went to live in Saudi Arabia for two years.

He first went via Turkey and then to the Balkans where he requested political asylum. Hazem said he wanted to reach Malta to meet a brother and work.

Asked in court whether he had any connection with Isis, he replied:

“My brother was a soldier and he was killed. They’ve made my mum suffer. Why should I share their ideology?”

The two have been remanded in custody.