Turkish authorities have detained 34 Afghan migrants near the country’s border with Bulgaria after they were discovered hiding inside a cargo truck in an apparent attempt to enter Europe through an irregular migration route.
According to Turkish media reports, the group was intercepted in Kırklareli Province in northwestern Turkey, close to the Bulgarian frontier. Officials said all of the migrants were transferred to the Kırklareli Removal Centre after initial processing.
Munir Mansouri, a journalist based in Turkey, said migrants who do not possess legal residency documents are subject to detention if identified by the authorities. He added that many Afghans continue attempting to reach European countries through Turkey, making such arrests increasingly common.
Data released by Turkey’s Directorate General of Migration Management indicates that more than 19,500 Afghan nationals were detained across the country during the first six months of the current year. Afghans continue to represent the largest group of undocumented migrants apprehended by Turkish authorities.
Mohammad Khan Talebi, a migrant rights activist, called on Afghanistan’s de facto authorities to strengthen consular assistance for Afghan migrants in accordance with international law and to pursue their concerns through diplomatic channels.
The latest arrests come as many Afghans continue to undertake dangerous migration journeys toward Europe. Economic hardship, unemployment, social restrictions and security concerns are widely cited as key factors driving irregular migration.
Earlier this year, Afghanistan’s Commission for Addressing Migrant Challenges announced that around 2,500 Afghan prisoners had been released from prisons in Iran and Pakistan and returned to Afghanistan.
