35 Afghans arrested in Turkey while attempting to cross into Greece — Pajhwok

KABUL (Pajhwok): Turkish police have arrested 35 Afghan nationals in Balikesir province while they were allegedly preparing to travel to Greece by sea, media reports said. Turkish newspaper Yeni Şafak reported that the operation was conducted by anti-smuggling and border security units of the Balikesir Provincial Security Directorate. Four suspected human smugglers were also arrested during the operation, the report said. Police seized 12 life jackets and 12 lifebuoys. Of the four suspects arrested on human smuggling charges, three were remanded in custody by a court after police investigations, while the fourth was released under judicial supervision. The arrested Afghans were transferred to a centre for the reception and transfer of irregular migrants, the newspaper reported. The report did not provide further details about the identities of the detained Afghans.