Afghanistan deportations: What happens to German rapists?

Afghanistan deportations: What happens to German rapists?

In a surprising turn of the events, German media reported to the "picture" that Afghan criminals, who were recently deported to Afghanistan, were arrested in the notorious "horror jail" of the Taliban immediately after their arrival in Kabul. A Taliban spokesman said that the conditions for detention for the returnees are extremely hard and worrying.

These news throw a bright light on the already criticized German deportation policy and the continuing questions about how the German authorities deal with guilty criminals. It is noteworthy that the Taliban carefully take a close look at the prisoners after their unpleasant return, which indicates a strict supervision.

notorious prison and the terrifying conditions

The Pul-e-Charkhi prison in Kabul, which was previously used by the USA and an Afghan government that has been supported, has changed since the Taliban power was taken over in 2021. According to reports, the conditions in this prison are catastrophic. A lack of water, sanitary facilities and a widespread feeling of danger make the life of the prisoners hell. In the winter of 2022, over 100 inmates are said to have died of cold detention conditions, which reinforces the cruelty of the situation.

A Taliban spokesman announced that each case is examined closely before a court decides on the further procedure. The brutal reality of detention conditions is a huge culture shock for many returnees, including serious criminals. So the question remains how long it will take before they can escape the draconian punishments of the Taliban.

The situation of specific criminals and the effect of the deportation

One of the most prominent cases is that of the convicted rapist Mokhar N. (31), who was on the way to Afghanistan last Friday morning. N. was convicted in 2019 because he fell over a 14-year-old together with other perpetrators. Despite his conviction and severe punishment in Germany, he was able to stay in the country until recently. Now he has gone through his deportation process and is expected with a pocket money of 1000 euros in Kabul.

His lawyer has already announced that N. wants to return to Germany because his partner expects a child to be received from German citizenship. This again raises questions about the legality of the deportations and the perspectives that former criminals are granted despite their actions.

The events around Mokhar N. are symptomatic of the discussions about returns and the general handling of criminals. While on the one hand the German authorities are trying to exert legal pressure, the Taliban seem to enforce their own judiciary to Islamic law and their brutal detention conditions that are in stark contradiction with the principles of the German legal system.

The discrepancy between the German case law and the reality of the conditions of detention in Afghanistan leads to a persistent debate about the meaning and morality of the deportations, especially when it comes to serious criminals. The potential return options for these criminals also represent a significant challenge for the German-Afghan relationship.