Nearly 770 undocumented migrants held across Turkey

By Ali Kemal Akan

ANKARA

Nearly 770 undocumented migrants were held across country on Friday, according to a statement and security officials.

In a statement, Turkish General Staff said a border unit of Land Forces Command rounded up 677 migrants when they attempted to illegally cross into Turkey.

Out of the total, 536 migrants were trying to illegally enter Turkey from Syria, while seven others attempted to cross into the country from Iran. Another four migrants were held for making an attempt to enter Greece from Turkey.

The statement also said 130 undocumented migrants were found attempting to illegally cross into Greece through the Turkish border. Fifteen others were held when they tried to cross into Syria through the Turkish border.

In western Izmir province, 54 Syrians were held when gendarmerie stopped a minibus, which was carrying them, in Sapancik neighbor of Karaburun district, a security official, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on talking to the media, said.

Two of them were remanded into custody.

In southern province of Adana, police held 37 foreign nationals, including 31 Afghans and 6 Pakistanis in central Seyhan district, another official said.

*Safak Yel from Izmir and Eren Bozkurt from Adana contributed to this story