Migrants arrested in eastern Aegean, Turkish smuggler held

ATHENS - Greek coastguards Friday arrested 13 clandestine immigrants of differing nationalities on the eastern Aegean island of Lesbos as well as the Turkish people-trafficker who ferried them there, the semi-official ANA agency reported.
The migrants were spotted on a beach near a seven-metre (23 foot) speedboat, a merchant marine ministry statement said.
The ministry said the group included Algerian, Palestinian, Lebanese and Pakistani nationals.
Another clandestine immigrant, an Indian, was later found dead.
ANA reported that the Turkish smuggler, identified as 26 year-old Deniz Atisi, forced the immigrants into the sea when he saw the Greek coastguards approaching.
Criminal charges have been filed against Atisi, and he will be taken before an investigating magistrate on Saturday, ANA said.
The ministry source did not immediately confirm the smuggler's arrest.

05/13/2005 18:15 GMT