Historic Direct Deportation Flight Departs Leipzig
Germany has completed its first direct deportation of convicted criminals to Afghanistan since the Taliban's return to power in 2021. On Thursday, February 26, 2026, a charter flight departed from Leipzig, Germany, carrying 20 convicted Afghan nationals to Kabul International Airport. This operation signifies a new phase in Germany's approach to migration policy, facilitated by a recently established agreement with the Taliban authorities.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt confirmed the deportations, stating that the agreement 'creates a reliable basis for direct and permanent deportations to Afghanistan.' He emphasized that deporting criminals and individuals deemed dangerous is in Germany's national interest, asserting that anyone who commits a crime in Germany forfeits the right to remain in the country.
New Agreement Follows 'Technical Talks'
The direct flight follows intensive diplomatic efforts and 'technical talks' held by the German government with the de facto government of Afghanistan in autumn 2025. Previously, Germany had resumed deportations to Afghanistan in 2024, but these were mediated by Qatar due to Berlin's lack of official diplomatic ties with the Taliban administration. The new arrangement eliminates the need for third-country intermediaries, allowing for direct returns.
The individuals deported were men convicted of various crimes in Germany, including sexual offenses, bodily harm, and drug offenses. Among those deported was a 22-year-old man involved in a high-profile 2019 gang rape case in Illerkirchberg, a case that had sparked nationwide outrage.
Political Context and International Scrutiny
Germany had suspended deportations to Afghanistan in August 2021 following the Taliban's takeover. The resumption of deportations, particularly the establishment of a direct agreement, reflects a tougher stance on migration by Chancellor Friedrich Merz's administration. This policy shift is partly influenced by efforts to counter the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which advocates for stricter immigration controls.
However, the engagement with the Taliban remains controversial, as Berlin does not officially recognize the Taliban administration in Kabul. Human rights organizations have criticized the returns, citing concerns about the safety and human rights situation in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. Despite these concerns, the German Interior Ministry stated its commitment to expanding deportation procedures step by step under the new framework, emphasizing that German society expects convicted criminals to leave the country.
0 Comments