German police probe 8 document fraud cases among new Afghan arrivals

German Federal Police Investigate Afghan Arrivals Over Suspected Document Fraud

German authorities are currently investigating several Afghan nationals who entered the country under the premise of guaranteed entry, amid concerns of potential document fraud. The German Federal Police have initiated probes following the arrival of a chartered flight carrying Afghan individuals, focusing on irregularities in their immigration documents.

Preliminary Investigations Underway

Initial inquiries have commenced in eight instances concerning suspected document fraud, law enforcement officials announced on Thursday. Information obtained by dpa, a German news agency, from security sources indicates these cases primarily involve documents that are either forged or falsified. The investigations aim to verify the authenticity of the paperwork presented by these individuals upon arrival.

Charter Flight Lands in Leipzig

A specially chartered aircraft, commissioned by the German government, transporting 138 Afghan citizens who had been granted entry to Germany, arrived in Leipzig, a city in eastern Germany, on Wednesday evening. This charter flight is part of Germany’s ongoing efforts to provide refuge to vulnerable Afghans.

Flight Originates from Islamabad

The flight departed from Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, before reaching Germany. Pakistan has served as a transit point for Afghans seeking resettlement in various countries.

Interior Ministry Confirms Entry Checks and Probes

“We can affirm that the particularly vulnerable individuals from Afghanistan who arrived yesterday from Pakistan have undergone standard entry procedures, and that preliminary investigations have been launched,” stated a spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of the Interior to the German tabloid Bild. This confirms the government’s commitment to both providing refuge and maintaining border security.

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Foreign Office: Identity Verification Assured

Despite the ongoing investigations into document authenticity, the Foreign Office has asserted the rigorousness of the identity verification process for all passengers on the charter flight.

“Thorough Checks” Conducted

“All individuals aboard the charter flight were subjected to thorough checks,” a spokeswoman for the Foreign Office in Berlin emphasized. “There was no uncertainty regarding anyone’s identity, as security remains the paramount concern in these procedures.” This statement seeks to reassure the public that security protocols were diligently followed.

It is understood that all Afghans admitted into Germany under this program were deemed to be at risk of persecution by the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.

Germany’s Afghan Admission Programs

Germany is currently implementing multiple programs designed to accept Afghan nationals. Prior to the Taliban’s resurgence to power in August 2021, Germany had a military presence in Afghanistan as part of a NATO mission. The current admission initiatives are a continuation of Germany’s commitment to Afghan civilians.

Focus on Particularly Vulnerable Groups

In addition to former local employees of the German Armed Forces and other German organizations, along with their families, Afghans facing persecution by the Taliban are also eligible for acceptance into Germany. This includes individuals who may be at risk due to their past professional activities, such as lawyers and journalists advocating for human rights. These specific categories reflect Germany’s prioritization of especially vulnerable populations from Afghanistan.