The immigration service has agreed to temporarily stop the deportation of Afghan men who were junior officers in the Afghan army during the period of Russian control, Nos television reports.

Men who served in the army under the Russians have been categorised as war criminals since 2000, meaning they are not entitled to asylum.
However, under pressure from 26 local councils, the IND has now agreed to assess each claim individually. In some cases, the men have been scheduled for deportation while their wives and children have been given the right to stay.
Afghan girls who are at least 10 years old and considered to be fully westernised are now automatically given refugee status in the Netherlands.