By Kadir Yildiz
KOCAELI, Turkey (AA) – At least 16 Afghan irregular migrants were held in northwest Turkey, according to security sources on Wednesday.
Police in Kocaeli discovered the irregular migrants when they stopped a bus traveling on the main highway connecting Istanbul to Ankara, following a chase.
The migrants were taken to the provincial migration directorate and three individuals were arrested on allegations of human smuggling.
Turkey has been a key transit point for asylum seekers who want to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.
It hosts nearly 4 million refugees, including more than 3.6 million Syrians, the most in any country in the world.
*Writing by Ahmet Gencturk in Ankara
