Albanian police say they have detained 18 Afghans who had illegally crossed into the country from Greece and were trying to enter Kosovo to reach Western European countries.
Police stopped the Afghans in a minivan not far from the Kosovo border yesterday. In addition to the 18, police arrested five Albanians and one Afghan who had arranged the illegal crossing, according to a statement today. Those who were arrested are accused of illegally crossing a border along with criminal organization charges. If convicted, they face up to 15 years in prison.
The 18 migrants were taken to a refugee center, and will most likely be expelled to Greece after being processed. Albania hasn't been a major transit route for migrants through Europe so far.
