Germany Deports ‘Criminal’ Afghan Refugee After Agreement With Taliban
Germany has deported a criminal Afghan refugee to Afghanistan on a regular commercial flight.
Germany has deported a criminal Afghan refugee to Afghanistan on a regular commercial flight.
This mark the first such individual deportation carried out following a new agreement between the German government and the Taliban administration, according to the German newspaper Bild.
The report said the Afghan man travelled alone and was handed over to Taliban authorities at Kabul airport early on Wednesday.
Bild said the deportation represents a new phase in Germany’s policy on returning Afghan nationals, following contacts between Berlin and the Taliban. European Union officials have previously confirmed that the bloc has been in contact with Taliban authorities at a “technical level” regarding the deportation of refugees.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt told Bild that deporting criminals and individuals considered dangerous is in Germany’s national interest. He said anyone who commits a crime in Germany forfeits the right to remain in the country.
“Deportations of Afghan nationals have begun and will be expanded step by step,” Dobrindt was quoted as saying.
Germany suspended deportations to Afghanistan in 2021 after the Taliban returned to power. Last year, Berlin returned a number of Afghan migrants indirectly. In July this year, the German government directly deported 81 Afghan migrants to Afghanistan.
According to Bild, deportations are now being carried out not only through large charter flights but also via regular commercial flights. The report said some individuals classified as dangerous criminals will be deported individually to Kabul under the new approach.
