Germany deports Afghan nationals to homeland for first time since Taliban takeover

Germany has deported Afghan nationals to their homeland for the first time since August 2021, when the Taliban returned to power, Report informs via Euronews.

Government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit on Friday described the 28 Afghan nationals as "convicted criminals" but did not immediately respond to a request for comment to clarify their offenses.

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser called the move a security issue for Germany.

Germany does not have diplomatic relations with the Taliban, requiring the government to work through other channels.

The deportations occurred a week after a deadly knife attack in the town of Solingen, the suspect of which is a Syrian citizen who had applied for asylum in Germany.

The suspected perpetrator was supposed to be deported to Bulgaria last year but reportedly disappeared for a time and avoided deportation.

He was ordered held Sunday on suspicion of murder and membership in a terrorist organisation pending further investigation and a possible indictment.