'Migrant smugglers publicized trips on social media'

(ANSA) - ROME, OCT 16 - A group of Egyptian citizens who were allegedly members of an international criminal group trafficking migrants from Libya to Europe publicized the journeys on Arabic-language public social media accounts, said Milan police who arrested 10 suspects on Wednesday.
    Investigators said they dismantled the smuggling network who mainly recruited Egyptian citizens as clients.
    The suspects face charges of aiding and abetting illegal immigration.
    Promoters publicized a number of options on social media such as the basic 'package' including a Mediterranean crossing or a journey along the Balkan route - as well as an 'advanced' option with visas and a flight as well as, in a number of cases, a fake employer to enable clients to obtain a residence permit, investigative sources said.
    The probe, conducted by Milan police flying squad, found that the smuggling ring was allegedly managed by a 48-year-old Italian citizen of Egyptian origin, without a police record, who had a regular job and lived in the area of Via Padova in Milan.
    The alleged criminal organization publicized the journeys on Facebook and Instagram accounts which included posts of alleged clients who praised their journeys once they had arrived and included the contact numbers of the alleged smugglers with hundreds of users requesting information, investigators said.
    (ANSA).