Austria's Interior Ministry deported a 32-year-old Syrian man to Damascus, marking the first such action since the Syrian civil war began. This decision follows a 2018 conviction that led to the revocation of his refugee status. Austria's Interior Minister stated that this deportation signals a strict asylum policy targeting criminals. Austria claims Syria is safe for return, although rights groups question this assessment. The ruling coalition aims to strengthen its immigration stance following the rise of the far-right Austrian Freedom Party.
A Syrian criminal was deported from Austria to Syria today, specifically to Damascus. I believe it is an extremely important signal that Austria is pursuing a tough, strict, forceful but fair asylum policy in that those who endanger others, criminals, will be removed from the country.
With Thursday's repatriation, Austria became the first nation in the EU to deport someone back to Syria. Rights groups, however, say it is too soon to know how the situation in Syria will develop under the Islamist government that has taken power after pushing out Assad.
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