Germany Deports 81 Afghan Convicts in Second Post-Taliban Repatriation Flight

Germany has deported 81 Afghan men convicted of crimes, marking the second mass expulsion to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan since the militant group regained power in 2021.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt confirmed that the deportation flight departed on Friday. According to him, all individuals on board had been issued final expulsion orders following convictions under Germany’s criminal justice system.

This development comes amid renewed debate over migration policy, particularly as the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party gains traction with its anti-immigration stance. Germany had suspended deportations to Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover and shuttered its embassy in Kabul. Since then, all communication with Taliban authorities has been routed through third-party intermediaries.

The German Interior Ministry noted that the latest operation was facilitated by Qatar, a key diplomatic partner in navigating repatriation logistics with the Afghan regime. Authorities stated that such deportations must continue in the future, particularly for individuals deemed threats to public safety.

The previous expulsion on August 30, 2024 saw 28 Afghan nationals deported under the administration of then-Chancellor Olaf Scholz. That operation marked the first deportation flight to Afghanistan since 2021.

“We’re not closing the doors,” Prof. Pate said. “We’re creating a future where our health professionals are valued at home, even as we remain part of the global health conversation.”

Dobrindt, a key figure in Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s new conservative-led government, has advocated for more direct engagement with Taliban authorities to streamline future deportations. Human rights organizations and UN agencies, however, continue to warn against returns to Afghanistan, citing persistent risks under Taliban rule.