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Czech police charge 14 with people smuggling from Turkey

A police officer is seen in front of the Charles University in central Prague, on December 22, 2023. (Photo by Michal Cizek / AFP)

Czech police on Tuesday said they have charged 14 people accused of smuggling at least 2,000 people to Europe mostly from Turkey since 2021, Agence France-Presse reported.

The 14, who are all in detention, face up to 16 years in prison if convicted, Jaroslav Ibehej, spokesman for the organized crime squad, said on the Czech Police website.

Police estimate that the group made at least 2 million euros ($2.2 million) from their activities, he added.

The group took the migrants to the Czech Republic and other European Union countries.

Ibehej said police had seized about $40,000 in cash, two cars and a house.

Turkey has been a key transit country for refugees and migrants aiming to reach Europe, exacerbated by the Syrian civil war, which started in 2011.

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