In recent months, the Federal Ministry of the Interior has held talks with the Syrian government and representatives of the authorities in Afghanistan. Agreements were reached that the return of criminals and dangerous individuals can take place on a regular basis in the future.
The first return since the beginning of the Syrian civil war of a Syrian national, who was also a convicted offender, was carried out in December 2025. The man had served a prison sentence in North Rhine-Westphalia for aggravated robbery, bodily harm and extortion. In January 2026, another Syrian national who was a convicted offender and required to leave the country was returned to Syria on a scheduled flight. The man had committed several crimes in Germany and had been convicted by a final court ruling.
In addition, two convicted Afghan nationals were returned to Afghanistan in December 2025.
The Federal Minister of the Interior Alexander Dobrindt stated in a press release that the return of offenders must be carried out consistently to ensure order, give direction and provide more security.