EDIRNE/IZMIR - Turkish security forces have captured 39 illegal immigrants in northwestern Edirne province and western Izmir province, sources said on Tuesday.
Gendarme teams stopped a minibus in a check point in Edirne and caught 11 illegal immigrants of Tunisian and Mauritanian origin who attempted to sneak into Greece.
Security forces captured 25 illegal immigrants in Meric and Enez towns of Edirne.
Meanwhile, gendarme teams also caught three Afghans who attempted to flee abroad illegally in Dikili town of Izmir.
They 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.
(EÖ-AÖ) 08.06.2004