Dutch authorities have found 30 war crimes suspects, 10 of them Syrian, among the 59,000 people who applied for asylum in the Netherlands last year.
Dutch immigration minister Klaas Dijkhoff revealed the numbers in a letter on Monday. He wrote the letter in response to questions raised by members of parliament, many of whom have been calling on the government to deport migrants suspected of crimes or those who break Dutch laws.
The other 20 suspects were from Eritrea, Sudan, Nigeria, Georgia and other countries, Mr. Dijkhoff said in his letter, Reuters reported.
The news of the war crimes suspects comes as tensions continue to rise over immigration as more Europeans oppose allowing large numbers of Middle Eastern refugees into their countries.
Mr. Dijkhoff said the Syrian suspects could not be sent home because international treaties prohibit forced repatriation to a country where there is an ongoing conflict, according to Reuters.
• Kellan Howell can be reached at khowell@washingtontimes.com.
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