Turkish authorities have arrested 27 Afghan nationals in the province of Çanakkale, local media reported.
The arrests came after officers from the Provincial Police Department’s Combating Immigrant Smuggling and Border Gates Branch Directorate became suspicious of a vehicle loaded with goods in the Namık Kemal neighborhood. According to reports, the migrants were tracked to an apartment in the area, where they were subsequently apprehended.
In connection with the case, two suspects were detained. Following legal procedures, one suspect was referred to the Çanakkale Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office and later arrested, while the second suspect was released on probation, the report said.
Separately, on the same day, Turkish authorities detained 49 other Afghan migrants who are reportedly set to be deported to Afghanistan.
The arrests reflect Turkey’s ongoing efforts to curb irregular migration amid a sharp rise in the number of migrants crossing its borders in recent months. Afghan nationals make up a significant portion of those seeking refuge in Turkey, often using the country as a transit point to reach Europe.
