The Bulgarian Consulate-General in Edirne has received information from the Turkish authorities that three Bulgarians were arrested on November 17, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. They are accused of "illegal trafficking of migrants and deliberate support of a criminal organization," it was reported.

BNR correspondent to Istanbul Marian Karagyozov said that besides the Bulgarians who were arrested, other members of the group who wanted to cross the border were three Turkish families - six adults and five children. The Turkish citizens are reported to be wanted by police because of links to the organization of Islamic preacher Fethullah Gullen. According to Turkish authorities Gullen was standing behind the coup attempt of July last year.