Italian authorities will deport nine Egyptians charged with illegal immigration, Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Sunday.
The move is in conjunction with newly-enacted Italian laws aimed at curbing illegal migration, according to Egypt’s assistant Foreign Minister for Expatriates Affairs Mohamed Abdel Hakam. The apprehended Egyptians will be sent home on Monday.
Abdel Hakam warned against the “dire consequences” of illegal immigration to Europe, where authorities impose fines and prison sentences on transgressors as well as those who aide illegal migration operations.
Egyptian migrants typically travel to Italy from Libya via the Mediterranean Sea on small fishing boats. They take the risk to find job opportunities and escape difficult living conditions in Egypt, analysts say.
