TIRANA, Sept. 24 – Albanian police detained 50 illegal refugees at the Kapshtica border point, connecting the country with neighboring Greece.
According to police sources, the refugees, who were Syrians, Palestinians and Iranians were found in the city of Bilisht and in the village of Vernik.
A number of local media reported that among the arrested there were women and children as well.
The refugees were initially detained by border police and were sent to Tirana after their testimonies were taken.
Meanwhile, Albanian border authorities say they have seen an increase in the number of refugees, many of whom are from Syria, looking to get out of Greece and transit through Albania to head to Western Europe.
Police in both countries are targeting traffickers who benefit from the desperation of the refugees to move further into the continent.
During the summer, the refugee situation led to a number of controversial discussion in Albanian society and beyond.
Montenegrin authorities, who are the second to be dealing with refugees once, and if, they manage to cross Albania’s border, said during the summer they consider building wired fences to keep them from reaching Montenegro and, then, Croatia, which is a EU country.
However, so far this plan has not become a reality.
Meanwhile, in the end of June, as word that Albania might be the country to host Middle East refugees unwanted in Europe increasingly spread both in local and international media, Prime Minister Edi Rama’s Socialist government remained silent, while experts and the population alike strongly condemned the possibility.
Albania has not been directly mentioned as the country that will host the refugees European countries will decide to send away, it has, however, been clearly stated by EU leaders that such an option is being considered.
