Macron urged to expel evacuee with suspected Taliban links
‘The “duty’”of a welcoming France takes a back seat when the security of the French is in danger’
PRESIDENT Emmanuel Macron faced calls yesterday for the “immediate” expulsion of an Afghan arrested over suspected links to the Taliban after France flew him out of Kabul among 2,000 other people.
The man is one of five Afghans placed under strict surveillance by France’s domestic intelligence agency for possible Taliban links. Of the other four men, one “was obviously linked to the Taliban,” interior minister Gérald Darmanin told France Info, but added that he had played a key role in evacuating people from the French embassy in Kabul.
“He helped the French army, the French (nationals), your fellow journalists, Afghans who had visas and could not get out from the embassy,” he said.
Government spokesman Gabriel Attal said the man had “no doubt saved lives” but had “links with the Taliban, at some point, and this needs to be specified”.
The man admitted to belonging to the Taliban and to bearing arms at a blockade in Kabul that was under his responsibility. The incident raised security concerns and sparked angry opposition calls for the man’s expulsion. Immigration is one of the most contentious issues ahead of next year’s presidential elections.
France has evacuated more than 1,000 Afghans and several hundred French nationals over the past week.
“The government must explain to the French people what would prevent these individuals from being expelled urgently,” said Xavier Bertrand, a prominent right-wing presidential candidate.
Far-right challenger Marine Le Pen added: “The ‘duty’ of a welcoming
France takes a back seat when the security of the French is in danger. This makes perfect sense to everyone – except the government.”
The five Afghans under surveillance were required to stay in a hotel in the Paris region for quarantine purposes, as are all evacuees who arrive in France without having been fully vaccinated.
One of them left the place where he was asked to stay and police arrested him, said Mr Darmanin. Security checks of evacuees were conducted in Abu Dhabi, where the French have transferred evacuees before the onward journey to Paris. However, he denied there was any security “breach”.
President Macron pledged in a televised address last week that France would “protect those who are most under threat in Afghanistan”, while also vowing Europe would put together a “robust” initiative to thwart illegal migration and in particular peoplesmuggling networks.
Under French law, it is difficult to instantly repatriate individuals before their asylum requests are examined. Even if their request is declined and they are ordered to leave the country, asylum seekers have 30 days to do so and can lodge an appeal.
Prime minister Jean Castex said that France must continue to uphold its values: “We must protect those who helped the French Republic… France is also a land of asylum and must protect those who are particularly vulnerable.”