Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Two Bulgarian migrant traffickers have been arrested for smuggling vehicles into Turkey

Suspects involved in "Balkan Route" scheme aiding illegal migrant transport

Angel Papalezov
Photo: BTA

In a coordinated operation on 8 May, Bulgarian and Turkish authorities arrested two Bulgarian nationals for their alleged involvement in an organised migrant trafficking network operating along the so-called 'Balkan route'. This route is used by migrants to travel from Turkey through the Balkans towards Western Europe.


The arrests were announced by Angel Papalezov, head of the Criminal Police Department at Bulgaria’s Ministry of the Interior, during a press briefing. According to officials, the two individuals were responsible for organising the transfer of more than 100 vehicles from Bulgaria to Turkey. These vehicles were reportedly used to facilitate migrant trafficking across the region.


Legal proceedings are currently underway in Turkey, led by the Prosecutor’s Office in Edirne. The suspects have confessed to their involvement in illegal activities on Turkish soil. This joint operation highlights the ongoing efforts of both countries to dismantle the transnational smuggling networks operating in the region.



Editor: Miglena Ivanova
Posted and translated by E. Radkova



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Sunny weather and scattered clouds expected on Bulgaria's Unification Day

During the night, the weather will remain mostly clear with scattered high clouds. After midnight, low clouds or fog are expected to form over the far eastern regions. It will be almost calm across most of the country. There will be a light northerly..

published on 9/5/25 6:35 PM
E-Government Minister Valentin Mundrov

Bulgaria to audit government IT systems for euro readiness from October

Bulgaria will begin checks after Oct. 1 to ensure all government IT systems are ready to operate with the euro , e-Government Minister Valentin Mundrov told parliament on Thursday. He said preparations were 97.75% complete. The ministry oversees the..

published on 9/5/25 6:23 PM
Вътрешният министър Даниел Митов

Bulgaria says migrant pressure at Turkish border down more than tenfold

Bulgaria says migrant pressure at Turkish border down more than tenfold Migrant pressure on Bulgaria’s border with Turkey has fallen more than tenfold in the past two years, Interior Minister Daniel Mitov said on Thursday at the opening of a new..

published on 9/5/25 6:13 PM