Maltese actor Edward Mercieca, detained in Syria on espionage charges

The Lifecycle challenge took yet another twist last Tuesday August 19. As participants covered the final kilometres towards destination Damascus, the cycling group was detained by military personnel at one of the checkpoints and asked to turn in their cameras for inspection. It was at this point that one of the cyclists, well known maltese actor Edward Mercieca, was singled out over one of the photos he had snapped, showing a red pick-up truck in the background.

Mr. Mercieca was then detained, so fellow cyclist Mario Scerri and their interpreter stayed on with him while a commanding officer inspected the photo. The rest of the group were allowed to proceed to Damascus.

At 16.30 the military officer ordered Mr. Mercieca's companions to be released at the original checkpoint, while the actor, still under shock, was driven a 100 km away to another military building and allowed the liberty to move under surveillance till 18.30 at which point he was allowed use of his mobile phone.

The saga continued as Mr Mercieca was then driven to another heavily guarded military compound and his ID card and passport were confiscated.

The Maltese Consul finally arrived at the compound at 22.30 and it was established that the Syrian army had informed the interior ministry that Mr Mercieca had rode into the mountains snapping photos of military installations, allegations which Mr Mercieca found absurd, more so since the photos he snapped were taken from the main road.
He was released and made it home to Malta with the rest of the team on the following day.