Last year, 50 asylum seekers were refused official recognition in the Netherlands because of suspicions they had been involved in war crimes, the Telegraaf said at the weekend.

Of them, 10 had Syrian nationality but did not have any ties to jihadi movements, the justice ministry confirmed later to news agency ANP. They have not been deported because Syria is considered to be too dangerous and sending them back would break EU law.

Many of the people refused asylum because they are suspected of war crimes remain in the Netherlands as illegal immigrants, the papers said.

Last month, Dutch newspapers reported that several Syrian refugees have reported that pro-Assad war criminals are living in Dutch asylum seeker centres.