Turkish security forces captured 47 refugees trying to cross illegally into Europe on Wednesday.
Gendarmerie officers in the northwestern province of Kirklareli that borders Bulgaria arrested 24 Afghan and Syrian refugees preparing to flee Turkey illegally, a security source said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.
The two groups of refugees were arrested in the villages of Sislioba and Yenice in Demirköy and the Pınarhisar district, the source said.
In a separate incident, another 23 refugees attempting to illegally cross the border into Greece were captured by gendarmerie officers in neighboring Edirne province, according to a local security source.The Syrian refugees were captured in two vehicles in the village of Kavakli in the Meriç district, the source said, adding that the vehicles were impounded.
Security forces also arrested two people for organizing the crossing attempt. The suspects were referred to a local court where they were remanded in custody. All of the 47 refugees were referred to the local migration management authorities.
Ankara has sharply cut the number of migrants crossing into Europe over the Aegean in exchange for 6 billion euros in financial aid for Syrian refugees and a promise of visa-free travel for Turkish nationals, after a migrant deal was signed between Turkey and the European Union in March 2016.
However, according to the European Commission, as of yesterday, the EU has provided Ankara with 826 million euros for Syrian refugees and has refused to provide visa-travel travel for Turkish nationals. The migrant deal was especially welcomed by Germany, a preferred destination for most migrants and refugees.
