Germany has initiated a significant realignment of its migration strategy by conducting its first direct deportation flight to Kabul. This operation, facilitated by a newly established agreement with the Afghan government, marks a “new phase of cooperation” that eliminates the need for third-country intermediaries.
According to the Interior Ministry, intensive diplomatic efforts were undertaken to ensure that regular and permanent returns could finally be handled directly.
The charter flight exclusively carried male convicts who had been ordered to leave the country following convictions for serious offenses, including assault, drug trafficking, and sexual violence. Notably, the group included a 22-year-old man involved in the high-profile 2019 gang rape of a 14-year-old girl in Illerkirchberg. State officials confirmed that with this flight, all perpetrators linked to that specific case—which had sparked nationwide outrage—have now been removed from German soil.
Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt characterized the measure as a vital step in maintaining public order. He explained that
the deportation of criminals is a key component of control, direction, and a clear stance in migration policy.
Emphasizing the state’s duty to its citizens, Dobrindt added that “our agreement creates a reliable basis for direct and permanent deportations to Afghanistan,” ensuring that consistent enforcement remains a priority for national security.
