Germany conducted its first deportation of Afghan nationals back to their home country since the Taliban regained power in August 2021. The group of 28 Afghans were described as convicted criminals; however, details about their offenses were not immediately disclosed by government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser emphasized that the deportations were carried out as a security measure for Germany.
Due to the absence of diplomatic relations with the Taliban, Germany had to resort to alternative channels for the deportation process. The decision to deport the Afghans came shortly after a deadly knife attack in Solingen, perpetrated by a Syrian asylum seeker. The attacker, who was initially scheduled for deportation to Bulgaria the previous year but managed to evade removal, is now detained on suspicion of murder and association with a terrorist group.
The Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility for the knife attack, alleging that it was in retaliation against Christians in support of Muslims in various regions, although this assertion could not be independently verified. As Germany braces for regional elections in Saxony and Thuringia, where anti-immigration parties like the Alternative for Germany are anticipated to perform well, the government has faced increased scrutiny over its immigration policies.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz previously promised to resume deportations of criminals from Afghanistan and Syria following a fatal knife attack involving an Afghan immigrant last June. In response, Faeser announced plans to introduce stricter knife laws and streamline deportation procedures to address concerns surrounding security and immigration matters.
