Germany’s DPA news agency has reported that the German government deported 22 Afghan nationals to Afghanistan on a charter flight.
A spokesperson for Germany’s Interior Ministry said on Tuesday, September 2, that all of those deported were men who had been convicted of various crimes, including murder, theft, and arson.
According to the report, the deportation flight departed for Kabul on Monday, September 1.
With this latest flight, the number of Afghan nationals returned from Germany since the current coalition government took office has reached around 250.
The latest deportations come as Germany has recently allowed a three-member technical delegation from the Taliban to enter the country temporarily to help facilitate the return of Afghan nationals.
The delegation is expected to assist with administrative and consular matters and the preparation of documents required for transferring Afghan nationals back to Afghanistan.
Germany’s Foreign Ministry had previously said that the temporary presence of the delegation was intended to accelerate technical procedures and establish the necessary mechanisms for the deportation process.
Berlin’s increased efforts to deport Afghan nationals come as several European countries have also stepped up the return of migrants and asylum seekers whose asylum applications have been rejected or who have been convicted of serious crimes.
