Germany deports 81 Afghan nationals as part of stricter migration policy

Germany deported 81 Afghanistan nationals to their country of origin on Friday, marking the second such operation since the Taliban seized power in 2021 and the first under Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s new government, Euronews writes.

In a statement, the Interior Ministry confirmed that the men, all of whom had previously come to the attention of judicial authorities, were returned on a flight organized in cooperation with Qatar.

“These are Afghan men who are legally required to leave the country and who have a criminal record,” the ministry said, according to local media.

Each deportee was issued up to €1,000 in financial support, as German courts can block removals if returnees face destitution.

Over 10 months ago, Germany resumed deportations to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan after a pause, with then-Chancellor Olaf Scholz pledging a more assertive approach to removals.

His successor, Merz, placed stricter migration controls at the center of his February election campaign and moved quickly to implement them after taking office in May.