Three Pakistani citizens have been arrested for their alleged involvement in facilitating illegal immigration, following a request from Pakistan’s judicial authorities in Italy.

This operation occurred in Turin, Catanzaro, and Brescia, which are Italian cities.

It was reported that all suspects were linked to a tragic shipwreck that occurred on June 14, 2023, off the coast of Pylos, Greece, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of Pakistani nationals.

The arrests were executed by Italy’s State Police in collaboration with the International Police Cooperation Service, based on warrants issued by Pakistani judicial authorities targeting these individuals for their suspected role in aiding illegal immigration.

Appellate courts with jurisdiction over the matter, in coordination with the local prosecutor general, confirmed the validity of their detention.

Reports showed that three more Pakistani nationals are being sought by the police.

According to Info Migrants, investigators revealed that the suspects were involved in smuggling migrants who left Pakistan, traveled through Libya.

The suspects had crossed the Central Mediterranean to enter the European Union illegally, particularly landing on the shores of Italy and Greece, investigators reported.

Additionally, authorities believe that the three suspects were part of a criminal organization that obtained work visas for the Pakistani nationals they had illegally transported to the EU, bypassing legal requirements and violating regulations governing the lawful entry of foreign workers.

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