Germany Resumes Deportations to Afghanistan Amid Election Pressure

Germany has resumed deporting Afghans convicted of crimes back to their home country. The move comes just days before regional elections, with migration being a key campaign issue. The government, under pressure after recent violent incidents, negotiated with Qatar for the deportations despite human rights concerns.

Germany has resumed deporting Afghans convicted of crimes back to their home country, a move that comes just days before regional elections where migration is a key campaign issue. Berlin had halted such deportations due to human rights concerns after the Taliban took power in 2021.

Pressure on the coalition government to reverse the suspension increased after a fatal stabbing linked to Islamic State and another knife attack involving an Afghan man who killed a German policeman. On Thursday, the government introduced measures to tighten asylum policies and speed up deportations, mindful of the upcoming elections in Saxony and Thuringia, where the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is leading in the polls.

Spiegel magazine reported that a flight took off from Leipzig to Kabul early Friday with 28 convicted criminals onboard after months of secret negotiations with Qatar. Chancellor Olaf Scholz confirmed the deportations, stating they had been carefully planned. Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck emphasized that the right to asylum would remain intact. ProAsyl, a German NGO, criticized the move, warning it could normalize the Taliban regime.

(With inputs from agencies.)