Germany has deported 20 people to Afghanistan on what was the first flight directly agreed with the Taliban since the militants' return to power in 2021, reported dpa.
The German Interior Ministry said on Thursday that 20 convicted Afghan criminals were flown from the eastern city of Leipzig to Kabul on a charter flight after an agreement was reached with the Taliban.
Previous deportation flights had been mediated by Qatar.
Contact with the Taliban is highly controversial as the German government does not maintain diplomatic relations with the Islamist group.
The Taliban face international isolation because of their disregard for human rights, especially women's rights.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the agreement "creates a reliable basis for direct and permanent deportations to Afghanistan."
The men who were deported were convicted of committing crimes in Germany, including sexual and drug offences as well as assault.
The issue of deporting criminals to Afghanistan was a major flashpoint ahead of Germany's parliamentary elections in February 2025. Chancellor Friedrich Merz's administration has promised to step up deportations.
- Germany
- Deports
- Afghans
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
