A former German intelligence chief has confirmed meeting ex-Afghan president Hamid Karzai in Berlin to discuss potential deportations of Afghan nationals from Germany. August Hanning, who led the BND in the early 2000s, said the meeting focused on creating a supervised area in Afghanistan for returnees.
The talks come as Germany’s government considers resuming deportations to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, particularly for convicted criminals. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser recently said she would seek direct contact with Taliban authorities—a move criticised by the United Nations.
Hanning told Welt TV he had no official government mandate but noted Karzai maintains informal ties with the Taliban. The two met at a prestigious hotel in Berlin, according to Bild.
Germany halted deportations and closed its Kabul embassy after the Taliban returned to power in 2021. However, in August last year, 28 convicted Afghan nationals were expelled following indirect negotiations.
