An Iraqi failed asylum seeker set himself on fire in a refugee center in Utrecht on Monday, local media reported.

The man was taken to the hospital on Monday morning.

Last week the Dutch repatriation and departure service told him that he had to return to Iraq. Since last year Iraqis whose asylum applications were rejected may remain in asylum seeker centers, in anticipation of negotiations with Iraq about taking back rejected asylum seekers.

Since the end of 2008, refugees from Iraq have been given greater protection in the Netherlands than asylum seekers from some other countries.