Smugglers abduct Eritrean asylum-seekers

ESAT News (July 5, 2017)

The United Nations refugee agency has voiced concern after 17 newly-arrived Eritrean asylum-seekers in eastern Sudan were taken by smugglers from a refugee camp, the BBC reported on Wednesday.

The UNHCR denied reports that they had been kidnapped, saying they appeared to have had a prior arrangement with the smugglers. But the agency says it remains concerned for their welfare, according to the report by the BBC.

Sudan is a major transit point for people from the region who hope to migrate to Europe.