Junior justice minister Fred Teeven is planning to soften immigration rules for Russian lesbians, gays, bi-sexuals and transgenders.

In a written briefing to parliament on Wednesday, Teeven said LBGT people would no longer have to ask for protection from the Russian authorities before seeking asylum in the Netherlands.

Until now they have had to show that the Russian police are not able or not willing to help them with problems caused by their sexual orientation. This will be scrapped, Teeven said.

Criminal offence

Last year Russia introduced a new law making it a criminal offence to hold public events or spread information about homosexuality to minors.

At the time, foreign minister Frans Timmermans said he wanted the situation to be taken into consideration in any asylum procedure for Russian gays.