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PoliticsGermany deports 31 Afghans including one without prior conviction for first time
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Germany deported 31 Afghans to Afghanistan on a charter flight from Leipzig/Halle Airport, marking the first time an Afghan without a prior criminal record was included. The deportees were convicted of serious crimes including manslaughter, attempted murder, rape, and child sexual abuse. The one without a conviction was deported after his asylum procedure concluded and he illegally stayed in another European country. The deportation was enabled by a direct agreement with the ruling Taliban, which critics argue contradicts Germany's non-recognition of the Taliban due to human rights violations. Upon arrival in Kabul, deportees face Taliban interrogations and possible release after family assurances. Left-wing demonstrators protested the flight. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt defended the practice, stating those with negative asylum outcomes must expect enforcement of departure.
Source report
Federal police officers bring one of the criminals onto the plane to Kabul. Source: Sebastian Willnow/dpa
Germany has carried out another deportation of Afghan nationals to their home country via charter flight. The plane departed from Leipzig/Halle Airport on the night leading into Tuesday.
Details of the Deportation
The Saxon Ministry of the Interior confirmed the deportation. Federal Minister of the Interior Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) described those deported as "serious and most serious criminals."
A total of 31 people were deported:
- 30 were convicted criminals
- 1 was deported without a prior conviction
According to "Bild," the offenses among the convicted individuals include:
- Manslaughter
- Attempted murder
- Aggravated robbery
- Rape
- Sexual abuse of children
- Grievous bodily harm
Case of the Unconvicted Deportee
The man deported without a prior conviction was required to leave the country after the conclusion of his asylum procedure, Dobrindt explained. He had attempted to settle in another European country and stayed there illegally. After being transferred back to Germany, he was deported.
Dobrindt stated: "I consider this correct and sensible, precisely in this approach to dealing with this issue."
Arrival in Kabul
Eyewitnesses at Kabul airport reported several families waiting for their relatives. According to officials on site, deportees will undergo procedures by the ruling Taliban after their arrival, including interrogations. They may possibly be released afterward following assurances from their families.
Basis for Deportation
The deportation is based on a direct agreement with the Islamist Taliban ruling in Afghanistan, which allows the German government to conduct regular deportations to Afghanistan without intermediary states.
Criticism of Cooperation with Taliban
Critics have raised concerns about the German government's approach:
- The government does not recognize the Taliban due to their human rights violations, particularly regarding women
- At the same time, it makes practical concessions to enable deportations
- This includes permission to send individual diplomats to Afghan missions in Germany, where previously only diplomats sent by the previous government had worked
Previous Cancellation
At the beginning of June, a planned collective deportation of men required to leave the country was canceled after the Taliban rulers did not cooperate. According to dpa information, the flight was canceled after the Islamist rulers in Kabul expressed dissatisfaction with what they saw as a lack of willingness to talk by representatives of the Foreign Office. The Taliban are primarily interested in sending more diplomats to Afghan missions in Germany.
Dobrindt Defends Deportation Practice
On Friday, Dobrindt defended an expansion of the deportation practice to Afghanistan against criticism.
"Anyone who has gone through a negative asylum procedure and is mandatorily required to leave the country must naturally also expect that this departure will be enforced if it is not carried out voluntarily," said the CSU politician.
Severe Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan
Left-wing demonstrators protested at the airport against the deportation flight. Source: Sebastian Willnow/dpa
Source
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Germany Deports 31 Afghans Including One Without Prior Conviction for First Time