Turkey catches 266 illegal immigrants in two days

26/08/2008

ANKARA, Turkey -- Security forces have detained 266 illegal immigrants at the weekend, the general staff announced on Monday (August 25th). Among them were a Turkish national and a Syrian national, whom authorities caught trying to cross the border illegally. They also detained around 80 people in routine checks in the provinces of Hakkari, Hatay, Izmir and Van. The detainees came from Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Syria and Somalia. Authorities also caught a big group of illegal immigrants attempting to cross the border with Greece. They came from the Palestinian territories, Afghanistan, Somalia, Iraq, Eritrea and Burma. All are now in the custody of Turkish courts, which will likely expel them in accordance with procedures. (Hurriyet, Focus - 25/08/08)