Germany deports 100 Egyptians for residency permit violation

CAIRO – Egyptian airport officials say 100 Egyptians have landed in Cairo after being deported from Germany over residency permit violations, the first action of its kind from Berlin.

The officials say the Egyptians arrived on a Wednesday flight from Frankfurt that included a strict security detail of 50 German officers.

They were handed over at Cairo's international airport to Egyptian authorities who are investigating them and the circumstances surrounding their deportations.

Police were also checking whether any of the men were wanted in Egypt.

The officials say that most were released by Thursday morning but that around a dozen remain in custody.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to talk to reporters.

They said Italy had also organized a similar deportation in the past.