11 asylum seekers held near Turkey-Bulgaria border

KIRKLARELI, Turkey

At least 11 asylum seekers claiming to have been beaten and deported by Bulgarian authorities were held in northwestern Turkey, security sources said on Thursday.

The Afghan and Pakistani nationals were held by gendarmerie teams near the Derekoy border crossing in Kirklareli province, said the sources, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

They told Turkish forces that they had crossed the border but were arrested by Bulgarian police, who beat them, took away their valuables, and left them on the Turkish side of the crossing.

After routine medical checks, the asylum seekers were transferred to the Pehlivankoy repatriation center.

Turkey remains a key transit point for asylum seekers aiming to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.

Ankara and international human rights groups have repeatedly condemned the illegal practice of some countries that push back asylum seekers, saying it violates humanitarian values and international law by endangering the lives of vulnerable people, including women and children.

Turkey also hosts nearly four million refugees, more than any other country in the world.

*Writing by Dilan Pamuk in Ankara