Over 1,200 irregular migrants held in northwest Turkey

EDIRNE, Turkey

At least 1,220 irregular migrants attempting to illegally cross into Europe were held in northwestern Turkey, according to security sources on Wednesday.

The migrants were held during two-day-long operations by the local Gendarmerie Command in Edirne province, bordering Greece and Bulgaria, said the source on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

The migrant group included mainly nationals from Syria, Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, Somalia, Morocco, Palestine, Nigeria, Tunisia and Algeria, the source added.

Some 28 migrants claimed that Greek authorities forcibly sent them to Turkey.

All of the migrants held were later transferred to provincial migration offices.

Earlier, the security forces reportedly said that Greece has recently stepped up efforts to send irregular migrants to Turkey in violation of Geneva Conventions, European Convention on Human Rights and the UN Convention Against Torture.

Last year, some 260,000 irregular migrants were held in Turkey, according to the Interior Ministry. Turkey has been a key transit point for irregular migrants aiming to cross to Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.

* Writing by Jeyhun Aliyev