Germany Deports 81 Afghan Refugees With Criminal Records To Kabul
Germany has deported 81 Afghan refugees to Kabul, marking the country’s second such deportation since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
Germany has deported 81 Afghan refugees to Kabul, marking the country’s second such deportation since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
According to the Interior Ministry, all individuals had been ordered to leave and were identified as having criminal records or being a threat to public security.
The group was flown from Leipzig Airport to Kabul on Friday via a Qatar Airways flight. This marks the first large-scale deportation of Afghan nationals under the new German government led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The Interior Ministry said the action is part of the government’s coalition agreement, which prioritises the deportation of foreign nationals convicted of crimes or deemed dangerous. Officials stressed that public safety remains the top priority in implementing the policy.
German media reported that the deportees were transported to Leipzig Airport in several buses, with at least one individual reportedly restrained with leg shackles.
Under former Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Germany carried out a similar deportation in which 28 Afghan nationals with criminal records were returned to Afghanistan.
Separately, German politician Alexander Dobrindt recently stated he is open to negotiating with "those in charge" in Afghanistan to facilitate further deportations of Afghan criminals.
Germany’s Foreign Ministry has confirmed that Berlin maintains only technical-level contact with the Taliban and has no formal diplomatic relations with the group.
