Germany has carried out its first deportation of Afghan citizens since the Taliban regained control in August 2021.
This move is part of a broader effort to address rising concerns about immigration.
The deportation involved 28 Afghan nationals, all of whom had been convicted of crimes and were no longer eligible to stay in Germany.
A Qatar Airways flight departed from Leipzig Airport early in the morning, transporting the individuals to Kabul.
The operation was the result of two months of negotiations, with Qatar playing a key role as a mediator between Germany and the Taliban authorities.
Germany had suspended deportations to Afghanistan and closed its embassy in Kabul after the Taliban took power in 2021.
However, the recent decision to resume deportations reflects the German government’s response to growing pressure to reduce illegal immigration and take stronger action against convicted asylum seekers, particularly following several high-profile crimes involving migrants.
This development underscores Germany’s shifting approach to immigration, as the government seeks to balance humanitarian concerns with domestic security and public pressure.
