Italy's State Police, in close cooperation with the International Police Cooperation Service, carried out arrest warrants issued by Pakistani judicial authorities against three Pakistani citizens who were under investigation for aiding and abetting illegal immigration. Their detention was validated by the appeals courts with jurisdiction over the case, in coordination with the local prosecutor general.

Extradition requested for three suspects

The operation was carried out by the Central Operations Service and the Flying Squads (Squadre Mobili -- special investigative police units) of Turin, Catanzaro and Brescia in the provinces where the three men were located. They were arrested and placed at the disposal of Italian judicial authorities pending their extradition.

Investigators said they discovered that the suspects were involved in smuggling migrants who departed from Pakistan, then journeyed across Libya before crossing the Central Mediterranean to illegally enter the European Union, in particular landing on the coasts of Italy and Greece.

Moreover, investigators believe that the three suspects were part of a criminal group that procured work visas for the Pakistani citizens they had illegally taken to the EU without the requirements provided for by the law, violating decrees regulating the legal entry of foreign workers.

Connection with two shipwrecks

The criminal group is also allegedly connected to two shipwrecks, according to investigative sources. The first occurred in February 2023 off the coast of Libya, when an iron vessel without safety equipment, which was sailing to Italy, capsized due to adverse weather conditions.

The second incident was reported on June 14, 2023, off Greek SAR waters. In this case, the boat, which was carrying some 750 people as part of a crossing allegedly organized by the suspects' group, capsized off Pylos, causing the death of hundreds of Pakistani citizens.