Austria resumes deportations to Syria after fifteen years

Austria has deported a Syrian national back to Syria for the first time in approximately 15 years. This marks a significant shift in policy. The deportation, of a Syrian criminal, occurred on Thursday via a commercial flight. Austria's Interior Minister cited the fall of Assad as a key factor enabling this change. Germany, however, has not yet resumed deportations. Austria had previously refrained from deporting individuals to Syria during the civil war. The Austrian government is now preparing a return and deportation program, with over 350 people having voluntarily returned.