Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya Announces Successful “Kalkan-23” Operations, Captures 63 Human Traffickers and 125 Irregular Migrants
Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya reported that in the “Kalkan-23” operations conducted across four provinces, 63 human trafficking organizers and 125 irregular migrants were apprehended.
According to Yerlikaya’s statement on social media, these operations were coordinated by the Gendarmerie General Command’s Department for Combating Migrant Smuggling and Human Trafficking and targeted human trafficking organizers and irregular migrants in Muğla, Van, Çanakkale, and Şırnak.
63 Human Traffickers Arrested in Four Provinces, 38 Detained
Minister Yerlikaya disclosed that, as a result of these operations, a total of 63 human trafficking organizers were apprehended: 29 in Muğla, 14 in Van, 11 in Çanakkale, and 9 in Şırnak. Among those captured, 38 have been detained, and judicial control orders have been issued for 14 individuals.
125 Irregular Migrants Captured in Van
Yerlikaya also mentioned that, within the scope of the operations conducted in Van, 125 irregular migrants were apprehended. He emphasized that these migrants were handed over to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management and deportation proceedings have commenced.
Commitment to Combat Human Trafficking
Commending the diligent efforts of gendarmerie personnel involved in the operations, Minister Yerlikaya stated, “Our noble nation should know that we will never give human traffickers the opportunity to make our country a target and transit route for irregular migration. Our operations will continue unwaveringly in every region of our country.”