In 2024, German border guards prevented 45,000 foreigners from entering the country, which is 27% more than in 2023. Among those denied entry were more than 15,000 Ukrainian citizens, Euractiv reports, citing official statistics.
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Ukrainians account for 19.1% of the total number of refusals, which is almost equal to the share of Syrians (19.8%). German authorities explain this situation by saying that many Ukrainians are trying to change their country of residence within the EU. Most of them have already received official status in other European countries, and attempts to move to Germany without the appropriate permit may result in entry refusal.
German border guards also turn back Ukrainian citizens because they do not have the necessary documents, even for short-term trips within the Schengen area.
Against this background, another precedent has been set in Germany: For the first time, the Federal Supreme Court of Germany allowed the extradition of a Ukrainian man who tried to avoid mobilisation. The man claimed that he did not want to serve in the army for reasons of conscience, but the judges decided that this was not a sufficient reason to refuse to extradite him to Ukraine.
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