A local branch of the far-right Alternative for Germany has been distributing controversial fake “airplane tickets” to promote the deportation of people to a “secure home country.” Police are investigating. Police in Germany have launched a criminal investigation after around 30,000 fake “deportation” airplane tickets were distributed in the southwestern city of Karlsruhe by a local branch of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
The flyers, which are designed to resemble classic airplane boarding passes, advertise a one-way flight from “Germany” to a “safe country of origin” for a passenger by the name of “illegal immigrant” on February 23 – the date of Germany’s snap federal election.
A spokesperson for the AfD in Karlsruhe confirmed the initiative was part of the party’s local election campaign and said the flyers were being distributed to all eligible voters.
But local politicians from Germany’s Left Party said they had been found in the mailboxes of Karlsruhe residents with migration backgrounds. Left Party officials said they would press charges for incitement to hatred.
Sahra Mirow, regional Left Party chair for the state of Baden-Württemberg, where Karlsruhe is located, said the AfD was “showing its true colors” with the flyer campaign. “They are dividing our society and spreading hate,” she added.
The mayor of Karlsruhe, Frank Mentrup of the Social Democrats (SPD), also said the AfD had crossed a red line, telling local public broadcaster SWR that finding “such notes in the mailbox reinforces a feeling of insecurity and fear.”
In Berlin on Wednesday, a federal government spokesperson called the campaign “tasteless” but said any investigations were the responsibility of the relevant authorities.
