Current_Trends_and_Related_Challenges_web

Current Trends and Challenges
arrangements for travel across Turkey are made.
From there, smuggled migrants travel to Istanbul,
usually using public buses. In Istanbul, smuggled
migrants are generally accommodated at the
outskirts of town, where they may remain for
weeks or months while their onward smuggling to
Western Europe is organized. 105
Smuggling through Greece and the Western
Balkans
A majority of smuggled migrants from South-
West Asia transiting through Turkey continue
on to Greece, usually with the assistance of
smugglers. 106
Table 21. Migrants detected attempting illegal entry into Serbia
Afghanistan
Islamic Republic
of Iran
Pakistan
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 1 Jan.–
30 June 2013
Total 227 636 3 799 3 085 734
By land 227 636 3 799 3 085 734
Total 7 25 6 54 10
By land 7 25 6 54 10
Total 8 10 14 6
By land 8 10 14 6
Total 2 40 1 853 2 882 1 119
By land 2 40 1 853 2 882 1 119
smuggling of migrants in Asia.
Table 22. Migrants detected attempting illegal entry into Turkey
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
1 Jan.–
30 June 2013
Afghanistan Total 10 833 3 909 2 708 3 801 2 560 2 950
Islamic
Republic of Iran
Total 1 230 701 880 708 453 306
Total 4 614 1 013 1 206 987 590 357
Pakistan Total 9 167 2 767 1 832 2 206 564 219
smuggling of migrants in Asia.
Smuggled migrants from South-West Asia enter
Greece from Turkey on two main routes: The first
involves crossing the land border, and the second
involves crossing the Aegean Sea. Smugglers
operating between Turkey and Greece choose
between these two routes, depending on the
level of border control and law enforcement
activity. 107 Migrants smuggled on the sea route
are first taken from Istanbul to coastal cities on
Turkey’s western coast, such as Izmir or Ayvalik,
where they embark on smuggling vessels
bound for an island, such as Lesbos, Kos, Chios,
Agathonisi, Farmakonisi or Samos, or to the Greek
mainland. 108 Some smuggled migrants departing
Turkey transit in Cyprus before continuing on to
mainland Greece. 109 Land crossings from Turkey
into Greece generally take place at or near the
Turkish city of Edirne and the Evros (Maritsa) River,
which runs between the two countries. Migrants
are typically taken across the river in inflatable
vessels, in small groups, at night. Some migrants
also swim (or attempt to swim) across the river.
In summer, the river can be low enough to cross
on foot. 110 Border crossings on foot are possible
at the Greek towns of Vyssa and Kastanies. 111 In
some cases, migrants from South-West Asia cross
at official border checkpoints, either concealed
in a vehicle or with fraudulent documentation. 112
Some smuggled migrants from Iraq reportedly have
entered Greece by air, presumably after transiting
in another country. 113
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