The driver of the van they were in was arrested

Bulgarian Police intercepted a van with 35 illegal migrants on Struma highway near the town of Pernik on Monday. The detained young men said they were from Afghanistan.

The van with registration plates from Sofia was driven by a 20-year-old Bulgarian with a criminal record. He was arrested.

"We have set up police checkpoints where we pull vehicles over without unnecessary risks", caretaker Minister of Interior Ivan Demerdzhiev said.