PRAGUE (Reuters) - Some Slovak Gypsies who have unsuccessfully sought asylum in Finland claiming racial discrimination are likely to be sent to the Czech Republic, a Czech diplomat said. More than 1,000 Slovak Gypsies sought asylum in Finland in June, most of them arriving on flights from the Czech Republic or Hungary, while some have entered the European Union member country through Russia. The diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Finnish courts had denied the Gypsies‘ requests for asylum, and they would be returned to the most recent country of departure. A total of 21 Slovak Gypsies were believed to have flown to Finland from the Czech Republic, the diplomat said. „So far, the Finnish administration has not started with the deportation…but it is only a question of time,“ the diplomat said. It is not yet clear what status the Slovak Gypsies would have in the Czech Republic, but Czech police and the Interior Ministry are considering further steps, the diplomat said. Helsinki imposed visa requirements for Slovaks following the arrival of a wave of Gypsy immigrants earlier this year. The Slovak news agency TASR, quoting Finnish TV, said the asylum seekers would be returned in September and October to the previous countries of departure.