Germany sends Afghan man without criminal record back to Afghanistan for first time since Taliban rule
Germany deported an Afghan citizen who had no criminal convictions after his asylum claim was exhausted, marking the first such case since the Taliban seized power.
Germany has carried out its first deportation of an Afghan national without a criminal record since the Taliban regained control in 2021, according to Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt. The man’s asylum request was denied and, after an unsuccessful attempt to settle in another European country where he was discovered living unlawfully, he was transferred back to German custody and expelled to Afghanistan. He was among 31 Afghan men flown out on Tuesday; the other 30 individuals had prior convictions.
Since resuming returns to Afghanistan in 2024, Germany has repatriated over 200 people, a policy criticized by human-rights groups. Amnesty International reports that at least one deportee has been killed after being sent back. The deportations continue to spark debate over the safety and rights of returnees.
Why it matters
It shows Germany's tightening stance on Afghan deportations despite human-rights concerns.
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