Germany to deport convicted Syrians following Assad regime’s fall

German authorities have decided to follow Austria’s example by beginning the deportation of Syrians convicted of criminal offences, a step now deemed possible after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Damascus.

The German Interior Ministry told AFP that it has instructed the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) to take action against “dangerous Syrian citizens and criminals,” per Caliber.Az.

A ministry spokesperson emphasised that committing serious crimes results in the loss of the right to protection granted by refugee status and can lead to the revocation of that status.

The official also reminded that a coalition agreement between Germany’s three governing parties includes provisions for deportations to Afghanistan and Syria, “starting with offenders and individuals considered threats.”

Germany currently hosts about one million Syrians, most of whom arrived during the migration wave of 2015-2016.

By Khagan Isayev