Germany has deported 81 Afghan men with criminal records on a repatriation flight from Leipzig, marking the first such operation under the new government led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The move comes as part of a broader shift in Germany’s migration policy, which aims to increase deportations of individuals with rejected asylum claims, especially those with criminal backgrounds.
According to the Interior Ministry, all the men on board had been legally ordered to leave the country and had previous convictions.
The flight was conducted with logistical help from Qatar, and the deportation was carried out in coordination with Afghan authorities, despite Germany not officially recognizing the Taliban-led government.
The aircraft, operated by Qatar Airways, departed Leipzig at 8:35 a.m. local time, slightly later than the originally scheduled time.
This collective expulsion follows months of preparation and discussions between German and Taliban representatives.
Germany had paused deportations to Afghanistan after the Taliban took power in 2021.
However, the process resumed about 10 months ago under the previous government, and Chancellor Merz’s administration has pledged to continue and expand the effort.
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt stated that those deported would face both an entry and residence ban in Germany.
Additionally, each person received up to €1,000 upon return, to prevent legal challenges related to destitution, as mandated by a ruling from Germany’s top administrative court.
The renewed deportations have sparked debate within Germany, with critics pointing to ongoing human rights issues in Afghanistan.
Still, the current administration maintains that removing individuals deemed a threat to public safety is a legal and necessary step.