Germany deports 40 Afghan men convicted of crimes

Germany deported 40 Afghan men to Kabul on a charter flight that left Leipzig/Halle airport.

The Interior Ministry said all 40 had committed crimes in Germany, including assault, drug trafficking and sexual offenses.

Ten German states took part in the operation, and 303 Afghan men have been deported since the current legislative term began.

The Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in August 2021, and Germany resumed group deportations in 2024.

In February 2026, German federal police flew 20 men directly to Kabul under an arrangement with the Taliban.

The government says deportations are part of its migration policy, while hundreds of people protested against deportations at German airports over the weekend.