Visa scandal around Baerbock: Investigations in Berlin and Cottbus started!

Visa scandal around Baerbock: Investigations in Berlin and Cottbus started!

A sensational scandal shakes the Federal Foreign Office in Germany: High -ranking civil servants are said to have put employees under pressure to give visas, although the preconditions were not fulfilled. According to a comprehensive research by Business Insider is accused of visas for people with fake or invalid passes. The focus is particularly on the messages in Islamabad and Addis Ababa.

in Islamabad, Pakistan, a visa is said to have been given a young Afghan despite the obviously fake passport. Even more explosive: it was not an isolated case. In the German Embassy in Addis Ababa, five Ethiopian students are said to have received visas in June 2024, although there was a suspicion that they could use the asylum application. Despite these concerns, the officials prevailed in Berlin.

political tensions and criticism

The Union's domestic politicians are angry and accuse Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) to neglect security concerns in favor of their political agenda, as reported. The embassy employees had suspected that the Ethiopian students in Germany could apply for asylum, and in fact a 24-year-old Ethiopian remained illegal, which confirmed the worries.

according to the afghanistan analyst Network also arises from a different direction. The organization complains that the promised relief for Afghan supporters who were particularly at risk after the troop deduction were not fulfilled.

Stop the investigation and follow

The public prosecutor's office in Berlin and Cottbus is currently investigating the incidents. The Federal Foreign Office emphasizes that a "series of security loops" have been established in order to quickly clarify and counteract such incidents. But the accusations weigh heavily and continue to raise questions about the culture of responsibility in the Ministry.

While Baerbock is not directly associated with the decisions, it is under fire. Rather, the question arises as to how sensitivity in important diplomatic decisions can be ensured with a global influence.

This disaster in the area of ​​visa allocation could result in far-reaching diplomatic consequences. Despite the internal security mechanisms, the German authorities have to prove that they can learn from these mistakes and improve their procedures to prevent future scandals.