51 KURDS LIVE AS ILLEGAL ALIENS IN SPLIT

SPLIT, Dec 4 (Hina) - Fifty one Kurds were uncovered to be in illegal residence in the Split-Dalmatia County in passing onto Italy. Charges have been filed against three persons for the illegal transport of foreign citizens over the border, the County police told a news conference on Friday. Split police have in the past three days discovered 51 Kurds in illegal residence, 44 of which are Turkish, six Pakistani and one Iranian citizens. In Trogir, 22 Turkish and one Iranian citizens were discovered, 22 Turks in Slatine near Trogir, and another six Pakistani citizens in Imotski. All of them have been apprehended and will be banished from the country, Emigration Office head Ivan Simundza and Administrative Affairs and Foreign Citizens Sector commissioner Ivan Kilic said. The illegal emigrants resided in houses rented by the three charged suspects. It is assumed the Kurds entered Croatia over the border with Bosnia- Herzegovina with intent to move on to Italy. They paid DM3.500 per person to the three suspects. Police suspect this is an organised chain. An investigation is ongoing. (hina) lml mm