Germany: Minister Says Deportations Possible in Cologne Case
- 8 years ago
Asylum-seekers could be deported if they're found to have participated in a string of New Year sexual assaults in Cologne, Germany's justice minister said Thursday.
Police say witnesses have described the perpetrators as being of "Arab or North African origin," but there's little solid information so far on who committed the assaults.
Officials have cautioned it's important not to cast suspicion on refugees in general.
Still, Justice Minister Heiko Maas said in an interview with the Funke newspaper group that "deportations would certainly be conceivable."
He said the law allows for people to be deported during asylum proceedings if they're sentenced to a year or more in prison.
"The courts will have to decide on the level of sentences, but that penalty is in principle absolutely possible for sexual offenses," he said.
Police say witnesses have described the perpetrators as being of "Arab or North African origin," but there's little solid information so far on who committed the assaults.
Officials have cautioned it's important not to cast suspicion on refugees in general.
Still, Justice Minister Heiko Maas said in an interview with the Funke newspaper group that "deportations would certainly be conceivable."
He said the law allows for people to be deported during asylum proceedings if they're sentenced to a year or more in prison.
"The courts will have to decide on the level of sentences, but that penalty is in principle absolutely possible for sexual offenses," he said.