4 asylum seekers say beaten by Bulgarian police

By Ozgur Tiran

KIRKLARELI, Turkey (AA) - Four asylum seekers held in northwestern Turkey claimed Friday that they were beaten by Bulgarian police, according to a security source.

The Egyptian and Moroccan nationals were rounded up by the gendarmerie in Kirklareli province’s Demirkoy district, the source said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

After they went through health checks at a state hospital, they were brought to the Provincial Gendarmerie Command, where they claimed that they were battered by the Bulgarian police and their valuable belongings were taken away from them.

They were then left to the Turkish side, the source added.

Another 21 asylum seekers held in Kirklareli on Thursday also voiced the same claim against the Bulgarian police

Turkey has been a key transit point for irregular migrants wanting to reach Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.

*Writing by Sena Guler​​​​​​​ in Ankara