35 asylum seekers held in northwestern Turkey
Iraqi, Pakistani, Syrian, Palestinian nationals say they were beaten, pushed back to Turkey by Bulgarian border troops

KIRKLARELI, Turkey
At least 35 asylum seekers of various nationalities were held in northwestern Turkey on Saturday, according to a security source.
Acting on a tip-off, gendarmerie forces held Iraqi, Pakistani, Syrian, and Palestinian nationals in Kirklareli province’s Kofcaz town near the border with Bulgaria, said the source, who requested anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.
After a health check at a local hospital, the asylum seekers were taken to the gendarmerie command.
They told officials that they were beaten and pushed back to Turkey by Bulgarian border troops, the source added.
After routine procedures, the migrants were transferred to a repatriation center.
*Writing by Dilan Pamuk in Ankara
Anadolu Agency website contains only a portion of the news stories offered to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System (HAS), and in summarized form. Please contact us for subscription options.