Turkey: Over 120 irregular migrants held

By Murat Yuksel and Gunay Nuh

CANAKKALE/ARDAHAN, Turkey (AA) - At least 124 irregular migrants were held in northwestern and northeastern Turkey, local sources said on Wednesday.

In the coastal province of Canakkale, the Turkish Coast Guard rounded up 102 migrants trying to cross to Greece off the coast of Kumburnu, said the sources, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

The migrants were taken to local repatriation center for foreigners.

Separately, in the northeastern Ardahan province -- bordering Georgia and Armenia – local police held 22 irregular migrants.

The migrants included 20 Afghan and two Pakistani nationals.

After a medical checkup, the migrants were referred to local police department for further processing.

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

*Writing by Merve Aydogan in Ankara