German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere has announced about the facilitation of deportation procedures for foreigners after the New Year attacks in Cologne. “We are significantly lowering the hurdles for the possible expulsion of foreigners who have committed crimes in Germany," he said.

Pursuant to the changes, which still have to be approved by the Cabinet and Parliament, even a prison sentence can be considered as a ground for deportation if a man is charged with homicide, bodily harm, sexual assault and theft, Gazeta.ru reports, citing Associated Press.

The Cologne police are investigating the information on numerous attacks of migrants on women in downtown Cologne on New Year Eve.