A total of 1,531 non-EU foreign nationals were repatriated to their home countries in October within the framework of efforts aimed at tackling illegal migration in Greece. Of them, 717 were repatriated as part of a Greek Police (EL.AS) deportation operation for lacking legal documents. Most of deportees (204) were destined for Pakistan, 159 for Bangladesh and 65 for Albania. The foreign nationals returned to their countries on board scheduled and chartered flights from Athens' International Airport. Other 814 individuals returned to their countries in an operation launched by authorities in cooperation with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). A total of 3,666 foreign nationals have been repatriated since August 2012. The readmission program for illegal migrants is financed by the European Return Fund and national resources. (AMNA)