More than 80 undocumented migrants held in Turkey

By Yusuf Sahbaz and Seyhan Kirici

ANKARA

At least 385 undocumented migrants were held in Turkey on Wednesday, according to a security official.

Out of the total, 66 migrants, including Iraqis, Syrians, and Afghans were held in western Izmir province's Dikili district when they were attempting to illegally cross into Greece, the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said.

Separately, the Turkish Coast Guard held 17 Syrians, including five children and six women in northwestern Balikesir province.

Also, 180 undocumented migrants, mostly Afghan nationals, were detained in Zeytinburnu district of Istanbul, according to a source in the district police department.

They would be deported following legal procedures at the district police station, said the source who refused to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Another security source from the northwestern province of Edirne said 122 undocumented migrants from Afghanistan, Syria, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh Pakistan were also held by units.

On the other hand, security forces in Turkish province of Hakkari also arrested seven suspects on charges of human trafficking and money forgery, the Hakkari Governor's Office said in a statement.

Turkey has been the main route for refugees trying to cross into Europe since the beginning of the civil war in Syria.