Claiming that it is a measure to combat the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), Afghanistan has declared that it will no longer accept Afghans who are deported from Sweden. It is asking all other European countries to suspend deportations as well.
The Swedish police announced on their website that deportations of Afghans will have to cease due to the Afghan government’s decision, according to a report by Fria Tider.
They also announced that deportations are becoming more challenging as the number of available international flights are rapidly decreasing as a result of quarantine measures.
Negotiations with the Afghans are continuing regarding when deportations may resume. However, in the meantime, Sweden may be forced to consider releasing detained Afghan migrants back into the public.
“Afghanistan’s decision means that the [Swedish] police will have to reconsider whether there is still legislative support to keep returnees in custody,” the Swedish police’s statement read. “If there is no longer any legislative justification, this may result in the release of some detainees who are now in custody.”