Germany has deported 28 Afghan nationals back to their homeland, marking the first such operation since the Taliban's return to power three years ago. The deportees, all convicted criminals, were flown out early Friday morning from Leipzig/Halle Airport on a chartered Qatar Airways flight bound for Kabul.

Government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit emphasized that these individuals, who had lost their right to remain in Germany due to their criminal activities, posed significant threats to public safety. Among them are individuals classified as "Gefährder," people deemed by security agencies as capable of committing severe politically motivated crimes, including terrorism.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who had previously announced plans to resume such deportations, emphasized the meticulous planning that went into the operation. Speaking on the matter, Scholz stated, "We have prepared this carefully without talking about it too much, because such plans only succeed if you make an effort, if you do it carefully and very discreetly." Scholz, who had pledged to resume deportations of serious offenders to countries like Afghanistan and Syria, called the operation a "clear signal" that Germany will not offer refuge to those who break its laws.

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