Serbian authorities arrest 15 suspected migrant smugglers
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 27 April 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Serbian authorities arrest 15 suspected migrant smugglers, 27 April 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5565ba4b11.html [accessed 22 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
April 27, 2015
By RFE/RL's Balkan Service
Serbia's Interior Ministry says police have arrested 15 people suspected of trafficking migrants.
Since the beginning of the year until March, the alleged criminal group is accused of smuggling more than 200 migrants from Syria, Iraq, and Pakistan across the border from Bulgaria into Serbia. Migrants were aiming to reach EU member Hungary.
Serbian authorities said the migrants were charged 1,000 euros ($1,084) for the trip.
An aspiring EU member, Serbia has promised to restrict human trafficking. It has also been accused of harassing migrants fleeing war and poverty.
The Western Balkan countries are a major gateway to Europe for migrants arriving from Africa and the Middle East.
Many migrants make the journey from the Middle East through Turkey, Greece, Macedonia, and Serbia before reaching EU and Schengen-zone member Hungary.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
