Germany has deported a citizen of Afghanistan with no criminal record for the first time since the Taliban movement returned to power in the country. This was reported on Tuesday by German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, Reuters reports.

According to the minister, the man became subject to deportation after exhausting all avenues for obtaining asylum in Germany.

As Dobrindt said, the man had previously tried to settle in another European country, but it turned out that he had been staying there illegally. After being returned to Germany, he was deported to Afghanistan.

He was one of 31 Afghan citizens sent on a special flight on Tuesday. The other 30 had criminal convictions.

The deportation of Afghan citizens after the Taliban came to power in 2021 remains a controversial issue because of concerns about the human rights situation and the possible treatment of returned persons.

Since deportations to Afghanistan resumed in 2024, Germany has sent back more than 200 people. According to the human rights organization Amnesty International, at least one of those deported was later killed.