Pakistan, July 18 -- Germany has deported 81 Afghan men convicted of crimes back to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, signaling a major shift in migration policy under Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government. The Interior Ministry confirmed the flight departed Friday morning, stating all deportees had criminal convictions and expulsion orders.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the move reflects Germany's new hardline approach: "There is no right of residence for serious criminals in our country." The deportation, coordinated with Qatar due to a lack of direct contact with the Taliban, marks Germany's largest expulsion to Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover in 2021.

Germany halted deportations to Afghanistan in 2021 but resumed last y...