Germany deported 23 Afghan men to Kabul on Tuesday on a charter flight, as the government stepped up efforts to remove people ordered to leave the country. The Interior Ministry said most of the deportees had convictions for serious crimes.
A video published by German newspaper Bild showed the men boarding the aircraft at Leipzig Airport before dawn. Several protesters gathered inside the terminal and held a banner opposing deportations and calling for refugees to receive protection.
Germany Steps Up Deportations
Germany has welcomed millions of refugees and asylum seekers since 2015. However, Chancellor Friedrich Merz has promised a tougher migration policy since taking office.
His government has increased border checks and placed greater emphasis on deporting people who no longer have the legal right to remain in Germany.
The government has given particular attention to Afghan nationals convicted of crimes. Officials say deporting serious offenders remains an important part of their migration policy.
Most Deportees Had Criminal Convictions
Germany’s Interior Ministry confirmed the Kabul flight in a statement on social media.
The ministry said all 23 Afghan men had come to the attention of German criminal justice authorities. It added that most had convictions for serious offences, including sexual crimes and causing bodily harm.
The government did not immediately provide a detailed breakdown of the offences or sentences involving each person.
The latest deportation follows an earlier flight in July. Germany then returned an Afghan citizen who had no criminal conviction but whose asylum application had failed.
That decision marked a shift in Berlin’s approach. German authorities had previously focused their Afghan deportation policy mainly on people convicted of serious offences.
Afghan Deportations Remain Controversial
The deportations have drawn criticism from refugee advocates and protesters in Germany. Opponents argue that returning people to Afghanistan can expose them to serious risks and that authorities should consider the security situation before carrying out removals.
Supporters of the policy say Germany must enforce its immigration laws and remove people who have no legal right to stay. The government has also stressed its focus on people convicted of serious crimes.
The latest flight highlights the difficult balance Germany faces between immigration enforcement and humanitarian concerns. Berlin has continued to tighten its migration policy while maintaining that deportations must follow legal procedures.
The government is expected to keep prioritising removals as part of its broader effort to reduce irregular migration. Afghanistan remains a particularly sensitive destination because of the country’s political and security situation.
For now, the arrival of the 23 men in Kabul marks another significant step in Germany’s renewed deportation efforts. It also ensures that the debate over Afghan asylum seekers and deportation policy will remain a major issue in German politics.
