Turkey: 44 irregular migrants held in SE Turkey

By Ibrahim Toprak

BATMAN, Turkey (AA) - At least 44 irregular migrants were held in Turkey's southeastern province of Batman on Friday, security sources said.

The security forces stopped a suspected minibus during traffic checks and held 25 Afghan, 12 Bangladeshi, and seven Pakistani nationals.

The migrants, who entered Turkey through illegal means, were transferred to the repatriation center after routine procedures.

The police detained the driver of the vehicle who allegedly organized the illegal crossing.

Turkey has been a key transit point for asylum seekers who want to cross to Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.

Turkey hosts about 4 million refugees, more than any other country in the world.

* Writing by Dilan Pamuk in Ankara