Serbia arrests 4,500 illegal migrants

Over the past two weeks, Serbian police have detained thousands of migrants in the north and east of the country.

Serbia bắt giữ 4.500 người di cư trái phép

Serbian authorities have increased border patrols to prevent illegal border crossings and smuggling. (Source: AP)

On November 8, the Serbian Interior Ministry confirmed that since October 27, police units have rounded up about 4,500 migrants in three cities: Subotica, Sombor, Kikinda near the borders with Hungary and Bulgaria. Authorities have transferred them to government-controlled centers. These efforts are part of Serbia's campaign to combat illegal migration and smuggling.

According to the announcement, eight smugglers and 119 people were arrested on charges including human trafficking, illegal possession of weapons and drugs.

Police also seized five rifles, five pistols, more than 1,500 rounds of ammunition of various calibers, hundreds of foreign passports, searched more than 81,000 cars and more than 300 homes.

Although the Serbian Interior Ministry does not publicly disclose the migrants' nationalities, most of them come from the Middle East, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and North Africa and use the Balkan route to enter the European Union (EU).

Serbia, a candidate for EU membership, is conducting joint border patrols with EU members Hungary and Austria.

Belgrade has pledged to bring its visa policy in line with EU criteria, to help stem the flow of illegal migrants westwards.

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