Germany deportes 31 Afghans to Kabul, first non‑criminal since 2021

Germany Afghanistan deportation flight Alexander Dobrindt Taliban agreement

On the night of 28 July 2026 a German charter flight left Leipzig/Halle Airport carrying 31 Afghan nationals to Kabul. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the majority were "severe and very severe" criminals – 30 had convictions for murders, rapes and other violent offences – while one man without a criminal record was expelled as an out‑of‑order (aus‑reisepflichtig) person after exhausting his asylum options and an illegal stay in another EU state.

The deportations are conducted under a direct agreement with the ruling Taliban, which allows Germany to return Afghans without third‑country mediation. Both Dobrindt and Saxony’s interior minister Armin Schuster defended the operation, arguing that public safety outweighs the migrants’ residence claims. Around 250 people protested at Leipzig/Halle Airport, and human‑rights groups criticised the policy as cooperation with a regime that violates women’s rights and endangers returnees. Since the programme resumed in 2024 Germany has deported more than 200 Afghans, with at least one deportee later killed after his return.

Entities

Afghanistan · Alexander Dobrindt · Armin Schuster · Federal Republic of Germany · German Interior Ministry · Germany · Germany · Kabul · Leipzig/Halle Airport · Taliban

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[DISPUTED] Since the start of the current legislative period, 204 Afghan nationals have been deported to Afghanistan. www.bild.de · www.radiobrocken.de
[● 10 SOURCES] The deportations are carried out under a direct agreement with the Taliban that enables regular removals without third‑country mediation. www.leinetal24.de · www.zeit.de · courage-lounge.de · www.fehmarn24.de · wochentlich.de · +4 more
[● 3 SOURCES] Critics argue that Germany is making concessions to the Taliban despite their human‑rights violations, especially regarding women. www.leinetal24.de · www.zeit.de
[● 3 SOURCES] The Taliban will subject the deportees to interrogation and possibly release them after family assurances. www.leinetal24.de · www.zeit.de
[● 7 SOURCES] Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt defended the deportation policy, saying out‑of‑order persons can be expelled. www.leinetal24.de · www.zeit.de · www.rtl.de · www.mdr.de · wochentlich.de · +1 more
[● 5 SOURCES] A charter flight departed from Leipzig/Halle Airport to Kabul on the night of 28 July 2026. www.leinetal24.de · www.zeit.de · www.rtl.de · www.mdr.de · www.radiobrocken.de
[● 3 SOURCES] The German Interior Ministry confirmed the deportation. www.leinetal24.de · www.zeit.de
[DISPUTED] Germany deported 31 Afghan nationals on a charter flight from Leipzig/Halle Airport. www.bild.de · www.rtl.de · www.radiobrocken.de · wochentlich.de · www.mdr.de · +9 more
[● 2 SOURCES] One deportee had no criminal conviction but was subject to a removal order after unsuccessfully seeking asylum in another European country. www.n-tv.de · www.radiobrocken.de
[● 4 SOURCES] Most of the deportees were convicted of serious crimes such as murder and rape. www.rtl.de · www.bild.de · wochentlich.de · www.mdr.de
[● 4 SOURCES] Around 250 people protested at Leipzig/Halle Airport against the deportation flight. www.mdr.de · ansage.org · www.n-tv.de · osthessen-news.de
[● 13 SOURCES] Germany deported 31 Afghan nationals in a charter flight from Leipzig/Halle Airport. www.rtl.de · wochentlich.de · www.mdr.de · www.n-tv.de · courage-lounge.de · +8 more