The Latest: Czechs give asylum to 153 Christians from Iraq

A migrant stands behind a banner as people queue up for food at a former Olympic indoor stadium in Faliro, southern Athens Monday, Dec. 14, 2015. Hundreds of people have been temporary housed in the stadium after being removed last week from Greece's northern border with Macedonia, which only allows Syrians, Afghans and Iraqis through on their trek to wealthier European countries - rejecting others as economic migrants who do not merit refugee protection. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) A migrant stands behind a banner as people queue up for food at a former Olympic indoor stadium in Faliro, southern Athens Monday, Dec. 14, 2015. Hundreds of people have been temporary housed in the stadium after being removed last week from Greece's northern border with Macedonia, which only allows Syrians, Afghans and Iraqis through on their trek to wealthier European countries - rejecting others as economic migrants who do not merit refugee protection. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

By Associated Press December 14, 2015 2 min read

ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) – The latest developments in Europe’s immigration crisis. All times local:

2:40 p.m.

The Czech Republic has agreed to give asylum to 153 Iraqi Christians who are threatened by extremists.

Spokesman Bohuslav Sobotka says the group found itself in a difficult situation due to the aggression of Islamic State extremists and approached the Czech Republic with a request for help. He said Monday the government will share the expenses for their move to the Czech Republic with NGOs, and religious institutions will help them settle in the country.

The Interior Ministry says the Iraqis will come in from January to April and will be allowed to stay even after the current conflict is over.