A total of 96 people have sought asylum in Romania so far this year, according to data from the General Inspectorate for Immigrations.

Most of the asylum seekers are men aged between 18 and 34, and come from countries such as Pakistan, Syria, and Iraq, reports local Mediafax.

According to the law, Romania recognizes the refugee status of a foreign citizen if the person has a well-founded fear of being persecuted due to religion, race, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group, is outside the country of origin, and can’t or won’t ask for that country’s protection due to these fears.

There are currently 2,600 people who benefit from a form of international protection in Romania.

Romania expels 12 of the 60 immigrants who entered the country illegally in January.

Hungary wants to build a razor-wire fence at the border with Romania.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com