Scores of suspects – including Rwandan men who may have been involved in the genocide that led to the deaths of an estimated 800,000 people – originate from countries including Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Rwanda, Serbia and Sri Lanka.
Shocking new figures show that in the 15 months from January 2012, the Home Office researched nearly 800 cases where individuals were suspected of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The Home Office, which has insisted it is determined the UK will not become a refuge for war criminals, identified the suspects last year.
It made “adverse recommendations” against 99 people who had applied for British citizenship, asylum or leave to remain in the UK while a further 16 war crimes suspects had applied to enter the UK.
It follows earlier figures suggesting more than 700 suspected war criminals were identified by UK immigration officials between 2005 and 2012.