Spain Deports Second Batch Of Algerian “Harraga” Including Under-Age Teenager

The second batch of Algerian “Harraga” or illegal migrants deported from Spain towards the port of Oran, on Wednesday, numbering 40 young people, including an under-age teenager, were released after a preliminary investigation pending the transfer of their files to justice for trial on charges of illegal immigration.

Earlier this week, Spain deported 80 young men from among the “Harraga” who arrived in the country last November, among more than 500 illegal migrants who left the western coast of the country in over just two days. 

Yesterday, the second group of 40 young men was received by the security services at the level of the port of Oran (western Algeria).

The security services opened an investigation, followed by their release in exchange for referral to justice, where they will be called for trial soon on charges of illegal immigration. 

Judicial sources indicated in this connection that these cases often end in fines of around 6 million centimes (DA), while the deportees will be prohibited from entering Schengen space with their fingerprints being duly taken by the relevant services for the purpose.

In the meantime, some Algerian families are still eagerly looking for missing people who have not been the subject, so far, of any news, despite the continuous search and correspondence undertaken by the services of the International Red Cross in Spain and human rights organizations here and there.

In addition, awareness-raising campaigns are still ongoing at the level of the municipalities of the coastal provinces of Algeria to explain the available youth-oriented employment programs at various levels and to convince young people not to face the risks of dangerous sea adventures and by reminding them of the woeful living conditions now besetting illegal immigrants in Europe.