Germany deports first Afghan without criminal record since Taliban’s return to power

Germany has deported an Afghan national with no criminal record for the first time since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has said. According to Dobrindt, the man became subject to deportation after exhausting all legal avenues for asylum. He had attempted to settle in another European country but was returned to Germany after being found living there illegally before being deported to Afghanistan. The man was among 31 Afghan nationals flown back to Afghanistan on Tuesday. German authorities said the remaining 30 deportees had criminal convictions. Germany has returned more than 200 Afghans to Afghanistan since deportations resumed in 2024. Amnesty International says at least one deportee has been killed after being returned.