High rate of error found in asylum applications in Germany

The German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) has reviewed over 1,000 granted asylum applications and found up to 15 percent to be faulty, German media reported Thursday based on an undisclosed source referred to in a Bild newspaper report.

The revision is conducted in the course of the investigations of the German soldier Franco A. who posed as a Syrian refugee for many months and allegedly planned a terrorist attack. His assumed false identity would serve to further create distrust towards refugees and discredit legitimate refugee claims.

The streamlined asylum process was heavily criticized for its superficial screening. The BAMF examined asylum applications of single, male refugees from Syria and Afghanistan without a passport.

Federal Minister of the Interior Thomas de Maiziere ordered the revision of 2,000 granted applications for asylum.

The investigations will further slow the processing of asylum applications due to the "withdrawal of capacities," a BAMF spokesperson said Wednesday. The migration office appointed an investigation team consisting of "experienced decision-makers" now removed from their regular activities.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)