SOFIA: Border Police detained 6499 illegal immigrants, citizens of third countries, as they attempted to cross into Bulgaria in 2014, which represents a decrease of 44 % compared to 2013. This became clear after the General Directorate Border Police presented an account of its activity throughout the past year at the Interior Ministry on Friday. The majority of illegal immigrants were detained at the border with Turkey – 6023, private bTV station reports.
The predominant share of the immigrants originated from Syria – 3781, followed by citizens from Afghanistan (1370), Iraq (355), Turkey (102) and Myanmar (87). The number of citizens of third countries, who were detained, while attempting to cross the “green border”, were 4028, which represents a decrease of 64 % compared to 2013. Another 1995 people were detained at the border checkpoints, which is an increase of 5.5 % compared to 2013.
There is a significant increase in the number of illegal immigrants concealed in trucks and trains due to the heightened measures at guarding the “green border”. A total of 3009 citizens of third countries were detained as they attempted to leave Bulgaria illegally. The majority of them were Afghan nationals – 1179, followed by citizens from Syria (1160), Iraq (193), Pakistan (93) and Turkey (56). The increased migratory pressure on Bulgaria’s external borders led to rise in smuggling activities.
