The German government is again deporting people to Afghanistan – for the first time since the Taliban returned to power three years ago. On Friday morning, 28 criminals were brought to Kabul (see video above).
“These were Afghan citizens, all convicted criminals, who had no right to remain in Germany and were subject to deportation orders,” said government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit. In some cases, security authorities believe that the most serious politically motivated crimes, such as attacks, are being committed.
The men had come to Leipzig that night from different states. The action was organized by the Ministry of the Interior. Each deportee received 1,000 euros before the flight. The preparation for the deportation took about two months.
Here you see tweets from ministers about the deportation.
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) announced on Thursday that deportations to Syria and Afghanistan would take place “very soon.” A “large repatriation and deportation package” had already been “initiated” before the fatal attack in Solingen.
Possible mistakes?
Last week, three people were killed and eight others injured, some seriously, in a knife attack at a city festival in the German city of Solingen. The suspected perpetrator, a 26-year-old Syrian, was arrested on Saturday. The federal prosecutor’s office has an Islamist background. The case led to a debate about deportations and possible failures of the authorities.
On Thursday, a new legislative package was presented that provides for stricter regulations for asylum seekers. Accordingly, for example, anyone who goes on holiday in their home country should lose their asylum status. So far, the law has already provided for reasons for exclusion from protection in Germany, for example war crimes.
Karner: We will follow this example
In Austria, too, there are plans to deport people directly to Afghanistan in the near future. “I have always been in close consultation with Faeser. In addition to the voluntary returnees we already had this year, we will soon deport them directly to Afghanistan under duress,” said Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP). The initiative came from Austria and Denmark.
Homosexuality and music banned in Afghanistan
The radical Islamic Taliban regained power in Afghanistan in the summer of 2021. Initially, the Taliban had promised a more moderate form of government. In fact, it is extremely authoritarian. For example, it restricts the rights of women and bans homosexuality and music. Implementing Islamic law is seen as a lifelong responsibility. So far, no state has recognized the Islamist rulers as a formal government.
No diplomatic relations
The German government does not maintain diplomatic relations with the Taliban rulers in Kabul. After the fatal stabbing attack in Mannheim at the end of May, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) announced that he would again allow the deportation of serious criminals and terrorist threats to Afghanistan and Syria.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
