IZMIR - Turkish gendarme forces captured 70 illegal immigrants in Karaburun and Aliaga towns of Aegean Izmir province, sources said on Sunday.
Gendarme forces, patrolling around, captured 40 illegal immigrants including 12 Chinese, 17 Iraqis, five Moroccans, two Pakistanis, two Somalians and two Egyptians who wanted to sneak into foreign countries in Karaburun town.
Twenty-five Pakistanis and five Indians were captured in Aliaga town when trying to proceed to foreign countries illegally.
Illegal immigrants will be deported following legal proceedings.
One Turk who was detained in the operations will be transferred to legal organs.
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) 13.06.2004