Illegal migration to Azerbaijan doubles

The illegal migration of foreign citizens to Azerbaijan has doubled this year, Interior Minister Ramil Usubov said.

320 foreigners migrating to Azerbaijan unlawfully were held accountable in the first half of 2007, he told journalists on Wednesday. The minister said that 214 illegal migrants were deported from the country and criminal cases were opened against two migrants, while others were issued a warning.

Usubov said that 138 crimes related to trafficking in human were discovered in January-June of this year, with 140 people held accountable in this respect. 11 gangs, including two organized groups were neutralized and 55 victims of this crime identified, he said.*