Nearly 50 migrants held across Turkey

Turkey has been main route for refugees trying to cross to Europe, especially since beginning of civil war in Syria

By Ilker Gürel

ANKARA (AA) - Nearly 50 irregular migrants were held across Turkey, security forces said on Monday.

Police detained 11 irregular migrants in the northwestern Edirne province, said a source speaking on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

The Pakistani migrants were allegedly preparing to illegally cross to Europe, it added.

Separately, 38 migrants -- Afghan and Pakistani nationals -- were detained by police in the eastern Van province.

Security forces also seized 11 kilograms (24 pounds) of cannabis during the operation.

All the migrants were later referred to provincial migration directorates.

Turkey has been the main route for refugees trying to cross to Europe, especially since the beginning of the civil war in Syria.

Some 265,000 irregular migrants were held in Turkey in 2018, according to the Interior Ministry.

The irregular migrants were mostly Afghan, Pakistani, Syrian and Iraqi nationals.

Kaynak:

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