EDIRNE - Turkish security forces captured 90 illegal immigrants in northwestern Edirne province, sources said on Tuesday.
Turkish security forces captured 90 people from Nepal, Iran, India, Morocco, Somalia, Liberia, Palestine, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Iraq who wanted to cross border illegally and one Turkish citizen who guided them in Edirne's Karakasim, Kemalkoy, Bosnakoy and Tayakadin villages and Ipsala and Havsa towns.
The Turkish citizen was transferred to Edirne prosecutor's office while the illegal immigrants will be deported following legal proceedings.
Turkey is a route of illegal migration due to its geographical location lying between Asia and Europe like a bridge with its rough mountainous eastern and southeastern borders difficult to control. Illegal immigrants from Middle Eastern, Asian and Far Eastern countries generally use this route to sneak into European countries.
In the West, northwestern Edirne province and some other Aegean provinces are routes for illegal immigrants to cross the border. Particularly Meric River, a natural border between Turkey and Greece, and Aegean provinces which are close to Greek Islands in the Aegean Sea are used by illegal immigrants to go to European countries.
In recent years, there has been a considerable increase in the number of illegal immigrants who were caught by the Turkish security forces who stepped up security measures against illegal migration.
(BRC-AÖ) 04.05.2004