German gov't approves stricter deportation rules

BERLIN - The German government on Wednesday approved stricter measures to deport asylum seekers whose applications had been denied.

The new rules extended the maximum detention time for "troublemakers" from four days to ten days, and imposed tougher sanctions for those who forged their documents.

Authorities are also now allowed to browse their mobile phones and computers to identify their identities and nationalities.

The new regulations are designed to deport rejected asylum seekers more quickly, according to Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere.

Germany in recent months has sped up its repatriation process of rejected asylum seekers after the Dec. 19 terrorist attack on a Christmas market in Berlin which killed 12 people and wounded some 50.

The Tunisian attacker, Anis Amri, was a delayed deportee.

However, critics as well as rights groups said the measures were too harsh since the safety of asylum seekers cannot be assured in war-torn countries like Afghanistan and Syria.

Some also blamed Chancellor Angela Merkel for having implemented the policies to regain support for the coming federal elections in September.