Germany deports Afghan nationals for first time since Taliban takeover

FRANCE 24

30 August 2024 at 4:14 am·1-min read

Germany on Friday reversed a policy to stop returning migrants to Afghanistan due to human rights concerns after the Taliban took power in 2021. The first group of 28 Afghans who were “convicted offenders”, according to German authorities, boarded a Kabul-bound Friday as the Germany’s coalition government faces pressure to take a tougher stance on migration after a deadly knife attack in Solingen a week ago and ahead of regional elections in which the far-right AfD party is expected to make big gains.

Germany said Friday it had deported Afghan criminals back to their home country for the first time since Taliban authorities took power in 2021, as Berlin faces pressure to get tougher on migration.

The 28 Afghan nationals were all “convicted of serious crimes and had no right to remain in Germany”, government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit told reporters.

A chartered flight bound for Kabul took off from Leipzig airport just before 0500 GMT, authorities said.

It comes exactly a week after a deadly knife attack at a street festival in the western city of Solingen shocked Germany, with the Islamic State jihadist group claiming responsibility.

(AFP)

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