Reports emerged today detailing the detention of 64 Afghan refugees by Turkish security forces in the Bitlis province of Türkiye. Turkish media sources indicated that the detainees were found inside a trailer on Tuesday, October 24.
Kabul 24: According to law enforcement officials, this operation also led to the arrest of two individuals involved in human trafficking. The Bitlis gendarmerie conducted the operation, leading to the detention of the refugees and the subsequent arrests.
The Turkish police reported that the refugees were apprehended on October 21 during a routine vehicle inspection at a police station in the central area of Bitlis province. Following their arrest, the detained refugees were transferred to the Bitlis Migration Authority for deportation proceedings. Simultaneously, one of the two individuals suspected of human trafficking has been handed over to judicial authorities for further legal action.
This development follows a statement by Khalil-ur-Rahman Haqqani, the head of the Ministry of Migrants and Repatriates in the Taliban government. Haqqani had previously announced that Türkiye intended to create opportunities for Afghan refugees, aiming to improve their living conditions rather than resorting to forced deportation.
In recent months, Türkiye has expelled a significant number of Afghan refugees, a move likely prompted by concerns over their economic and personal security in Afghanistan.
The situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by displaced individuals seeking safety and stability, underscoring the complexities of migration policies on a global scale.
