European country resumes deportation of Ukrainians

Switzerland repatriated three convicted criminals on Wednesday, for first time since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict

The Swiss authorities have deported three Ukrainian nationals convicted of committing “serious crimes,” the Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ) reported on Thursday, citing the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM). According to the report, this is the first time Ukrainian nationals have been sent back to their home country since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022.

“It is true that three people were returned to Ukraine on a special flight,” the SEM confirmed in a statement to the newspaper. The NZZ noted that all three had been convicted in the canton of Zurich.

While their identities and further details of their crimes have not been made public, the news outlet claims their offenses must have involved either robbery, deprivation of liberty or bodily harm, which are considered serious crimes under Swiss law. The men, accompanied by Swiss police officers, are to be taken to Poland, and then on to Ukraine.

When asked whether it was justifiable for Switzerland to deport people, even criminals, to a war-torn country, the SEM said that “in the case of convicted criminals who have been deported, the reasonableness of returning does not need to be examined.”

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Zurich cantonal security director Mario Fehr supported the measure, noting that “criminals have no place in the canton of Zurich and in Switzerland” and “must return to their home countries.”

Shortly after the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Switzerland activated the so-called ‘S protection status system,’ which granted Ukrainian refugees the right to an extended visa-free stay, accommodation, medical care, and other social benefits. While those granted such status were not previously subject to being deported, the Swiss Federal Council recently clarified that the status can be withdrawn if a “particularly” grievous criminal act is committed. This past June, the Council of Cantons also announced that henceforth only those who come from Ukrainian regions with active fighting are eligible to apply.

Switzerland has a similar protection system in place for Afghan nationals. According to local media, there had been no deportations of Afghans from the country for over five years. However, two weeks ago, the Swiss authorities repatriated two Afghans, also citing serious offenses.

Vincenzo Mascioli, deputy director of the SEM, told NZZ that Switzerland should have “zero tolerance” for crimes committed on its soil. He noted that his agency is looking to deport more criminals of foreign descent in the near future.