Germany Investigates Soldiers Over 'Thefts in Kabul'

German prosecutors are investigating five members of the German army suspected of theft during the chaotic evacuation from Afghanistan in 2021. The soldiers were part of the force tasked with evacuating individuals from the country.

The investigation centers on allegations that the suspects unlawfully seized goods from shops located at Kabul airport during the evacuation operations. A spokesperson for the public prosecutor's office in Kempten confirmed the ongoing inquiry but declined to provide further details regarding the specific accusations.

Under German law, the soldiers are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The Kempten public prosecutor's office holds jurisdiction over crimes committed by German soldiers during special missions abroad, a responsibility it has held since 2013. This means the office investigates such cases regardless of the soldiers' home bases within Germany.

The German military withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021, a process that occurred more rapidly than initially planned. The Taliban's swift takeover of Kabul created a volatile and dangerous environment around the airport, complicating the international evacuation efforts in which Germany participated.