Nazmi Ulus

If it was once rare for Turks to seek asylum in the countries of the Balkans, since mid-2016 it has become a regular occurrence, according to an investigation by the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network.

Kosovo's Prime Minister denied knowing about the rapid deportation to Turkey of several employees of Turkish colleges in Kosovo, allegedly linked to the exiled cleric Fetullah Gulen.

Police in Kosovo arrested them on Thursday, and they were deported to Turkey almost immediately - in a move criticised by senior officials, including the speaker of parliament.

Kosovo police arrested five Turkish nationals on Thursday, three in Gjakova/Djakovica and two others in Pristina, all of whom work for Mehmet Akif schools in Kosovo.