This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35425735

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Sweden 'to expel up to 80,000 failed asylum-seekers' Sweden 'to expel up to 80,000 failed asylum-seekers'
(about 1 hour later)
The authorities in Sweden are making plans to expel as many as 80,000 failed asylum-seekers, the interior minister was quoted as saying. The authorities in Sweden are making plans to expel as many as 80,000 failed asylum-seekers, the interior minister has been quoted as saying.
Anders Ygeman said that charter aircraft would be used to deport the migrants over several years. Anders Ygeman said charter aircraft would be used to deport the migrants but it would take several years.
"We are talking about 60,000 people but the number could climb to 80,000," Swedish media quoted him as saying.
Some 163,000 migrants applied for asylum in Sweden in 2015, the highest per capita number in Europe.Some 163,000 migrants applied for asylum in Sweden in 2015, the highest per capita number in Europe.
Of the approximately 58,800 cases processed last year, 55% were accepted. The numbers have fallen significantly since Sweden imposed tighter border controls this year.
Earlier on Wednesday, Greece's government responded to allegations in a draft European Commission report that it had "seriously neglected" its obligations to control the external frontier of Europe's passport-free Schengen zone. Along with Germany, the Scandinavian country is a prime destination for refugees and other migrants entering the EU illegally.
Greek government spokeswoman Olga Gerovasili accused the Commission of "blame games" and said it had failed to act on a programme agreed last year to relocate tens of thousands of migrants and refugees stranded in Greece. Of the approximately 58,800 asylum cases processed in Sweden last year, 55% were accepted.
Europe is struggling to deal with a crisis that has seen tens of thousands more migrants arrive on Greek beaches, undeterred by cold wintry conditions. Of those facing expulsion, Mr Ygeman was quoted in Swedish media as saying: "We are talking about 60,000 people but the number could climb to 80,000."
The UN says more than 46,000 people have arrived in Greece so far this year, with more than 170 people killed making the dangerous crossing. But he later tweeted to say he had not taken a position on how many migrants had grounds for asylum, it being a matter for the authorities and the courts.
Which countries are in the Schengen zone?
Mr Ygeman was quoted as giving the figure of 80,000 by Swedish Public TV and Dagens Industri business newspaper (in Swedish).
He later tweeted to say he had not taken a position on how many migrants had grounds for asylum, it being a matter for the authorities and the courts.
Sweden recently introduced temporary border checks in a bid to control the influx of people. Along with Germany, the Scandinavian country is is a prime destination for refugees and other migrants entering the EU illegally.
Where Europe is failing on migrants
Sweden earlier this week became the latest of a number of European nations to see tensions over migrants heightened by violence. A 15-year-old asylum seeker was arrested in Molndal, near Gothenburg, after a 22-year-old asylum centre employee was stabbed to death.Sweden earlier this week became the latest of a number of European nations to see tensions over migrants heightened by violence. A 15-year-old asylum seeker was arrested in Molndal, near Gothenburg, after a 22-year-old asylum centre employee was stabbed to death.
Migration officials say 35,400 unaccompanied minors sought asylum in Sweden in 2015, five times the number in 2014. Greece criticised
In neighbouring Denmark, meanwhile, the government this week approved legislation to seize the valuables of refugees in the hope of limiting the influx of migrants. More than one million refugees and migrants travelled to Europe last year, most fleeing conflicts in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.
The UN says another 46,000 people have arrived in Greece so far this year, with more than 170 killed making the dangerous crossing from Turkey.
Which countries are in the Schengen zone?
On Wednesday, a draft European Commission report said Greece "seriously neglected" its obligations to control the external frontier of Europe's passport-free Schengen zone.
Greek government spokeswoman Olga Gerovasili accused the Commission of "blame games" and said it had failed to act on a programme agreed last year to relocate tens of thousands of migrants and refugees stranded in Greece.
Denmark has also faced criticism this week after approving legislation to seize the valuables of refugees in the hope of limiting the influx of migrants.
Some have likened the Danish proposals to the confiscation of gold and other valuables from Jews by the Nazis during the Holocaust.Some have likened the Danish proposals to the confiscation of gold and other valuables from Jews by the Nazis during the Holocaust.
Where Europe is failing on migrants