Overview
- The German government, which said Monday it had received no notice of any staffing change, refused to recognize or work with a Taliban-picked head of the Afghan mission.
- An ARD investigation reported the Taliban now control the embassy with Nebrasul H. in charge, noting he entered Germany in July as a consular officer and that the prior envoy, Abdul P., was reduced to a figurehead in January.
- The Foreign Office cited protocol that a new ambassador counts only when the sending state formally notifies and Germany consents, a step officials say has not occurred.
- A new Afghan foreign ministry website for the Berlin mission displays the Taliban flag and labels Abdul P. as “The Ambassador” of the Islamic Emirate, a move portrayed in German coverage as a provocation.
- Officials said consular, visa, and passport services must keep working to permit travel and deportations, after a February arrangement that led to 20 offenders being returned, while legal experts warn expelling Taliban-linked staff could derail those operations.