At least 36 irregular migrants held across Turkey

By Ozgun Tiran

KIRKLARELI, Turkey (AA) - A total of 36 irregular migrants were held across Turkey on Friday, according to security sources.

Gendarmerie forces received a tip-off in the northwestern Kirklareli province about three groups of migrants preparing to go to Europe through illegal means, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

A total of 22 irregular migrants of Pakistani, Iraqi and Afghan nationalities were held.

Separately, 14 irregular migrants were held in eastern Van province, according to a statement by the provincial gendarmerie command.

The statement said the gendarmerie forces stopped a van over suspicion and held the migrants who were from Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Some 8,470 packets of smuggled cigarettes were also seized, it added.

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

Some 205,000 irregular migrants were held in Turkey in 2018 as of Oct. 15, according to the Interior Ministry.

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