Berlin (Capital of Germany): Germany has deported 28 Afghan nationals, marking the first such action since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021. These individuals, who were all convicted of serious crimes, were returned to their home country as Berlin faces mounting pressure to tighten migration policies.
A government spokesperson, Steffen Hebestreit, confirmed that the deported individuals had no right to remain in Germany, having been found guilty of violent offenses. Among them was a man convicted of participating in the gang rape of a 14-year-old girl. A chartered flight carrying the deportees departed from Leipzig airport at 0500 GMT, heading to Kabul.
This move follows a deadly knife attack at a street festival in Solingen, claimed by the Islamic State group, which has intensified calls for stricter immigration controls. The timing is also significant as Germany prepares for regional elections in two eastern states, where the far-right, anti-immigration AfD party is expected to gain support.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser emphasized the importance of security and the rule of law, stating, “Our security matters, and our rule of law state is taking action.”
The deportation was the result of two months of negotiations, reportedly involving Qatar as an intermediary between Berlin and the Taliban authorities, though this has not been officially confirmed by the German government.
Germany had previously halted deportations to Afghanistan and closed its embassy in Kabul following the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021. The Taliban government, which enforces strict Islamic law, remains unrecognized by the international community.
Hebestreit noted that this deportation sends a clear message to potential criminals, indicating Germany’s commitment to enforcing its laws. However, Green party co-leader Omid Nouripour clarified that this action does not signal the beginning of widespread deportations to Afghanistan, reassuring that “law-abiding people, especially families and children who have fled from radical Islamists,” will continue to receive protection in Germany.
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