'Irregular migrant' operation in Istanbul: 5 landlords detained

Teams from the Istanbul Police Department's Anti-Migrant Smuggling and Border Gates Branch conducted inspections for irregular migrants in Beyoğlu and Fatih on the evening of December 27.

During the inspections targeting foreign nationals, documents such as identification and travel permits were checked.

While 2 thousand 708 foreign nationals deemed suspicious were questioned, 68 irregular migrants who lacked proper documentation, were found to have entered Turkey illegally, or did not possess a residence permit were apprehended.

On the other hand, police teams also determined that irregular migrants preparing to travel to Europe through illegal means were staying in poor conditions at certain addresses in Gaziosmanpaşa.

Following this, a simultaneous operation was carried out on 9 addresses. During the operation, 37 irregular migrants were apprehended, 5 suspects who owned the houses were detained, and the 9 houses were sealed.

The total of 105 irregular migrants apprehended within the scope of the inspections and operations were handed over to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management to be deported following processing at the police station.

The 5 suspects, who were determined to have turned their homes into "shock houses" and rented them to irregular migrants, were fined 212 thousand 380 liras, and judicial proceedings were initiated against the landlords for the crime of "facilitating the entry of a foreigner into the country or enabling them to remain in the country."

News Source: İHA