EDIRNE/VAN - Security forces captured 59 illegal immigrants in northwestern province of Edirne and eastern province of Van.
Gendarme teams intercepted 5 Pakistanis and 20 Iraqis in Kuplu village in Meric town of Edirne while they were trying to flee to Greece.
Meanwhile, Gendarme teams captured 34 illegal immigrants of Pakistani and Bangladeshi origin near Cabuklu village in Caldiran town of Van, who had entered Turkey via Iran illegally.
Officials said all those illegal immigrants would be deported.
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.
(MS-AÖ) 27.05.2004