World Bulletin/News Desk

Ten Turkish citizens arrested by Chinese authorities last year on charges related to the illegal transfer of people across borders are expected to face trial late February, according to diplomatic sources Wednesday.

The legal process against those detained, who have twice been visited by officials from the Turkish Consulate in Shanghai, is anticipated to begin at least two months after warrants were issued for their arrest.

Of the eight men and two women arrested Nov. 17 in Shanghai accused of “organizing the illegal passage of people across the border,” nine entered China through Shanghai Nov. 5 and one Nov. 15.

The Foreign Ministry has been following developments closely and keeping the relatives of the detained informed as to their situation.

In accordance with Chinese law, the Turkish citizens were held in custody for one month until their detention period ended Dec. 17, when their files were transferred to the prosecution.

After one week of prosecution examination, two were charged with “organizing the illegal passage of people across the border,” and the others with "selling travel documents, according to the diplomatic sources.

They were arrested Dec. 24.