Nearly 4,000 people arrested in Turkey on human trafficking charges

Ali Yerlikaya, Turkey’s Interior Minister, announced that 3,924 people have been arrested across the country this year on charges of human trafficking.

In a message posted on X/formerly Twitter on Friday, November 8, the minister confirmed that Turkish authorities continue their joint operations aimed at preventing illegal migration throughout the country.

Yerlikaya emphasized that during these operations against migrants in 41 cities, 257 human traffickers were arrested.

The Interior Ministry has issued arrest warrants for 1,693 of the detained individuals, though their identities have not been disclosed.

This comes amid a significant rise in the arrest and deportation of Afghan migrants from countries like Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey in recent months.

Previously, Turkish media reported the detention of 33 Afghan refugees in the city of Erzurum over the past month.

It is important to note that, according to official statistics, over 300,000 Afghan migrants currently reside in Turkey.

Recently, the European Union allocated $11 billion to support Turkey in managing the forced return of migrants, including Syrians, to their home countries.

Turkey’s crackdown on human trafficking and illegal migration highlights the increasing pressure on the country due to its large migrant population, particularly from Afghanistan.

The ongoing operations, backed by both domestic efforts and international funding, reflect the complex challenges Turkey faces in managing migration while balancing humanitarian concerns. As these efforts intensify, the question remains how Turkey will navigate its role in the broader migration crisis in the region.

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