Swiss media have reported that Switzerland has deported two Afghan migrants described as “criminals.”

This marks the first time since 2019 that Switzerland has deported Afghan nationals. Authorities labelled the individuals as “serious criminals” and a “threat to the country’s internal security.”

According to the Swiss news agency Keystone-SDA, each deportee was provided with 500 Swiss francs (approximately 583 USD) by the Swiss government to assist them in starting a new life after their deportation.

Details regarding the identities of the two deported migrants have not yet been disclosed by Swiss media.

Vincenzo Mascioli, Deputy Director of the Swiss Migration Office, stated that Switzerland plans to deport more [criminal] migrants in the near future.

A Swiss German-language weekly, which first reported the deportations, noted that at least 13 other Afghan refugees designated as “serious criminals” remain in Switzerland.

Last month, Germany undertook a similar action, deporting 28 Afghan migrants identified as “criminals” to Kabul.