BERLIN: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said that Berlin will reinstate deportations of criminals from Afghanistan and Syria, after a knife attack in Mannheim that resulted in the death of a police officer and injuries to four others.
The assailant, a 25-year-old Afghan immigrant, has sparked a national debate on migration and security ahead of the European elections.
Scholz speaking in parliament, stated, “It outrages me when someone who has sought protection here commits the most serious crimes. Such criminals should be deported, even if they come from Syria and Afghanistan.”
His comments were applauded by lawmakers, highlighting the urgent need to address security issues.
The incident in Mannheim, captured on video and widely circulated on social media, has sent shockwaves across the country. The attacker, who came to Germany as an asylum-seeker in 2014, stabbed a 29-year-old police officer. Scholz strongly condemned the act as “terror” and a manifestation of radical ideology.
Germany has refrained from deporting individuals to Syria and Afghanistan because of the lack of diplomatic ties with the Taliban and the precarious security situation in Syria.
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However, Scholz said that his government is exploring ways to deport convicted criminals to neighbouring countries of Afghanistan. He added talks about resuming deportations to Syria are also underway.
The chancellor’s tough stance comes as migration becomes a pivotal matter in the European election campaign.
Scholz stressed that “Germany’s security interests outweigh the interests of the perpetrator” and vowed to toughen deportation rules for those involved in terrorism.
