Another Syrian with fake passport arrested in Latin America, this time in Paraguay
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}HASAKA, SYRIA - NOVEMBER 11: Troops from the Syrian Democratic Forces prepare to fire mortars on ISIL positions on the frontline on November 11, 2015 near Hasaka, in the autonomous region of Rojava, Syria. The armed forces of the mostly Kurdish region in northern Syria have been retaking territory from ISIL extremists with the help of airstrikes from U.S. led coalition warplanes. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) (2015 Getty Images)
A Syrian man carrying a Greek passport was arrested by Paraguayan authorities, the Associated Press is reporting. It is unclear when he was arrested.
Jorge Kronawetter, head of the State Migration Board in Paraguay, said the man, who was carrying a fake passport, was traveling under the name of Antonios Kallinteris.
The official said the man was planning to travel to Honduras and was then heading to London. Interpol is investigating his background and has not yet released any further information.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}News outlets from neighboring Argentina have identified the man as Syrian citizen Abd Al Elah Khallo, saying he requested political asylum in that country.
While in Argentina, Abd Al Elah Khallo gave as emergency contact the name of Ali Walid, who is wanted by the Interpol for a "terrorism-related crime” and for bank fraud, according to Diario La Provincia, a newspaper in Argentina.
The paper also said the man had phone contacts with men in Turkey, Iraq and Belarus.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The arrest comes less than a week after five Syrians attempted to enter Honduras with fake Greek passports with the intent of entering the United States. Over the past week, two groups of Syrian refugees turned themselves in to U.S. immigration authorities in the South Texas border town of Laredo.
In Paraguay, the National Commission for Refugees is currently processing 31 asylum applications from Syrians, the AP reported. Since 2011, 24 Syrian citizens have been granted asylum there.