Italy arrests 468 human smugglers

9/10/2015 4:01:55 AM

(MENAFN- The Journal Of Turkish Weekly) Italy has repatriated 9376 foreigners and arrested 468 people smugglers since January 1 Italian Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said Wednesday.

Alfano claimed that a wave of arrests by Italian officials has forced human smugglers to shift their activities to the Balkans instead of ferrying people to Italy from north Africa.

"Their arrests have persuaded other smugglers to change their minds and not pass through to Italy preferring the Balkan route" he told the Canale 5 television.

He said that immigration was not only a “problem” for Italy but for entire Europe.

"We already understood two years ago what was being confirmed: for two years we have been saying that immigration is not only an Italian problem but a European one” he said.

“It is Europe not Germany that can tell the difference between those who are fleeing from war and persecution and economic migrants: the former are welcomed the latter are repatriated" he added.

He added thatItaly was a"world champion" at saving human lives.

Italy has long claimed that it receives inadequate support from rest of the European Union to deal with refugees and migrants trying to reach its shores.

Nevertheless observers noted the number of asylum seekers arriving in Italyis relatively small when compared to the numbers of refugees from Syria being given shelter in Turkey.

Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.